American Gas - November 2011 - (Page 26)

Saving ashington’s intense, politically charged focus on the deﬁcit means that many popular federal programs have become candidates for the chopping block, but none is more important to energy utilities—and millions of their customers—than the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Funding for LIHEAP, which must be approved by Congress annually, seems to face seemingly insurmountable challenges virtually every year. But with lawmakers of both parties attempting to establish their bona ﬁdes as budget hawks, this promises to be an especially difﬁcult year for champions of the program. at LIHEAP funding is not a strictly partisan issue is underscored by the fact that the Obama administration proposed a cut of $2.5 billion for ﬁscal 2012, taking the program from the $5.1 billion originally appropriated in ﬁscal year 2011—later cut by Congress to $4.7 billion— to only $2.57 billion in 2012. LIHEAP ese budget pressures come at a time when demand for the energy-bill assistance provided by LIHEAP is increasing substantially, driven by the lengthy recession and the sluggish recovery. In September, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the nation’s poverty rate in 2010 was 15.1 percent, the highest level since 1993. e bureau said that 46.2 million Americans lived in poverty in 2010, an increase of 2.6 million over 2009. It was the fourth consecutive annual increase in poverty. e National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association (NEADA) estimates that reducing LIHEAP funding to the 2008 level of under $2.6 billion would prevent 3.1 million families from receiving LIHEAP beneﬁts. The new Save LIHEAP Coalition is working to protect funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the families, elderly and other needy Americans who rely on its existence. By S. Lawrence Paulson S. LAWRENCE PAULSON is a contributing editor to American Gas. The Creation of the Save LIHEAP Coalition LIHEAP has its champions, both in Washington and at the state level. AGA, the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), NEADA, the National Fuel 26 NOVEMBER 2011 AMERICAN GAS

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - November 2011

American Gas - November 2011
Contents
President’s Message
In the Know
In the News
Safety First
Talking Energy
Marketplace
Saving LIHEAP
Company Profiles
Places to Be
Noteworthies
Jobline
Advertisers’ Index
Facts on Gas

American Gas - November 2011