AMERICANS WILL PAY OVER $1,000 TO HEAT THEIR HOMES THIS WINTER

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts higher energy prices for American households and businesses this winter. The average U.S. household will pay $1,003 to heat their home with natural gas, $1,223 to heat their home with heating oil, and $1,396 to heat their home with propane. Since 2000, these prices have increased 45 to 60 percent.

Co-Chairs of the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) are again urging President Bush and their colleagues to provide at least $600 million in emergency Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds. LIHEAP offers critical assistance to seniors and low-income families who are unable to otherwise afford soaring energy prices.

Families and senior citizens are facing an energy crisis this winter. Unless heating funds are provided to aid low-income households and seniors before winter begins, too many American families will be left out in the cold this winter. Thirty-five Senators joined Collins and Reed in their request for additional funding.

"Last year, harsh winter weather conditions put a terrible financial strain on many families. This year, we must be prepared for the cold weather and even higher energy costs," Senator Collins said. "If Congress provides emergency LIHEAP funding, families won't have to choose between paying their bills and buying food."

"The winter heating season has not even begun in most parts of the country, yet many low-income Americans are waking up each morning faced with an unimaginable decision - how do they pay to heat their home this winter, buy their children food and pay for health care," Senator Reed said. "Low-income seniors and families with children are struggling to make ends meet and they need our nation''s immediate help to make sure they have affordable energy this winter."

Today, 17 Governors wrote Congress supporting the Collins-Reed request for $600 million of emergency funding. Indiana Governor Kernan spearheaded the letter and was joined by Governors Doyle (WI), Warner (VA), Vilsack (IA), Rendell (PA), Sebelius (KS), McGreevey (NJ), Rell (CT), Granholm (MI), Blanco (LA), Richardson (NM), Baldacci (ME), Carcieri (RI), Kulongoski (OR), Holden (MO), Minner (DE) and Freudenthal (WY). The letter stated that LIHEAP is currently serving less than one-quarter of eligible households nationwide. Two-thirds of these families earn less than $8,000 annually and families served by LIHEAP spend three times as much of their income on energy costs as middle-income families.

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