Delegation Announces Home Energy Funding Increase

“Vermont’s congressional delegation held a press conference in Burlington regarding home heating assistance. Congress doubled funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to $5.1 billion. Vermont will have some $35 million in federal funding for the winter of 2008-2009, up from $17 million the previous winter. The provision signed into law was based on a bill introduced in June by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and cosponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) sponsored companion legislation in the House. In addition to the extra funding, the measure also makes more families eligible for assistance.”