HOME HEATING COMPANIES OPPOSE OBAMA FUEL ASSISTANCE CUTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The New England Fuel Institute has joined nearly 300 trade associations, home energy companies, utilities and fuel assistance advocates in a letter this week urging Congress to oppose President Obama’s effort to cut fuel assistance for the needy in half.
Those signing the letter said they are ‘extremely concerned that these proposed cuts will deny people heat and cooling, which are basic needs for survival.” The letter cites increased need among low income families and the unemployed – among the hardest hit in the economic downturn.
In his proposed budget for fiscal year 2012, the President proposes slashing funding for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) from $5.1 billion to about $2.6 billion; a reduction that would dramatically affect approximately 9 million Americans that currently rely on this assistance.
The New England Fuel Institute, which represents over 1,000 home heating oil and propane dealers throughout the region, has also launched its own grassroots campaign to oppose the cuts, calling on members to send emails and letters to the Congress in opposition to the cuts.
The grassroots ‘call to action” is available at
http://capwiz.com/nefi/issues/alert/?alertid=31158511
A copy of the February 24, 2011 Coalition letter opposing the cuts is available at
http://www.nefiactioncenter.com/PDF/liheapallpartiesletter2.24.2011.pdf
###
The New England Fuel Institute (or ‘NEFI”) is a non-profit and non-partisan trade association that represents more than 1,200 mostly small, family owned- and operated home heating fuel dealers throughout the Northeastern United States.