Contact: Mark Wolfe/ Phone: 202-237-5199, Cell: 202-320-9046
Date: September 25
The state low income energy directors today released their winter home heating price projections. Prices are projected to increase by 10.5% for all families and reach record levels for home heating oil, propane and electricity this winter. Prices for home heating oil, in particular, are projected to be almost 28% higher than last year’s level. The average family is projected to pay about $402 more for home heating oil than last year for a total of $1,834.
According to Mark Wolfe, Executive Director of the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association, “these record prices will place a significant burden on low and moderate income families this winter. We are facing prices that are at record levels and are calling on the Administration to immediately exercise his emergency authority under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act to help poor families pay for their first tank of fuel as well as cover outstanding arrearages from high cooling costs this summer.”
Low income households pay a higher share of their income for home energy than other families. In FY 2005, the mean energy burden for low income households was 14.6 percent as compared to only 3.2 percent for non-low-income households. For LIHEAP households, the burden was even greater - 20.2 percent. These families have to choose between paying their bill and other vital necessities. The release of the remaining contingency funds will help these families avoid having to make these tough choices as the winter heating season approaches.
End
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
WAP Subgrantee Participates in Energy Star's "Change a Light" Pledge Drive
Florida's Brevard County Housing & Human Services is pleased to announce its participation in Energy Star's "Change a Light" Pledge Drive to promote Weatherization Day 2007.
The organization's goal is to receive 1,000 pledges in the form of compact florescent light bulbs. As of this posting, the office has received 11 pledges amounting to 199 bulbs. This equates to an energy savings of 56,118 kWh and a cost savings of $5,219!
Brevard County Housing & Human Services is also conducting an Energy Fair which will be open to the public on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 from 9:00am to 12:00pm at the Brevard County Government Complex in Viera, Building B.
Please click here for more information and to visit the Energy Star Website.
Weatherization Program Highlighted in Alabama Currents
Attached is an article from the September/October edition of Alabama Currents showcasing the energy savings and health and safety benefits of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA)'s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). This is another excellent example of the WAP's many accomplishments across the nation.
Click the image below to enlarge the article.
Click the image below to enlarge the article.
