osoab
4th June 2011, 03:52 PM
I wonder if the decrease in .gov goodies to the power companies is behind the current push to hike electricity rates in ILL.
What is going on in other states?
LIHEAP funding nixed for summer (http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/article_af8ad880-8e5b-11e0-82d0-001cc4c002e0.html)
LINCOLN — A key source of state money to help people survive the heat this summer will not be available this year because of expected federal funding cuts.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will not have funding this summer in Illinois, according to the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Officials expect to conserve the LIHEAP funding they will receive for winter heating assistance.
“It’s going to be devastating for some … clientele,” said Kimberly Lucas, assistant coordinator for LIHEAP in Lincoln.
The Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois, a nonprofit organization that administers LIHEAP funding, is collecting money from individuals and organizations to buy fans for clients, Lucas said. To donate money for fans, call 217-732-2159, ext. 241.
If the Illinois governor’s office declares a state of emergency due to severe heat, federal and state agencies will coordinate with local officials to provide cooling centers, wellness checks and other assistance as needed.
The best Illinois can hope to see for federal LIHEAP funding in fiscal 2012 is a 60 percent reduction, from $246 million to $113 million, said DCEO spokesman Mike Claffey. The federal budget, which will take effect Oct. 1, hasn’t been settled yet.
“Though the reduction in federal funding for LIHEAP is unfortunate, the state’s decision is necessary to help heat homes across Illinois next winter, which is the program’s top priority,” Claffey said.
Pam Pullman, interim executive director for Mid Central Community Action, which administers the program in Livingston and McLean counties, hopes the funding will come through after all.
“At the present time there are no funds available (for cooling),” she said. “We don’t, of course, know if that will change.”
Lucas is currently referring people needing assistance to churches, The Salvation Army and other agencies that help. “Churches have been wonderful,” she said.
She is also keeping a list of names of people who call for help, but isn’t promising anything.
“I don’t want to give false hope,” she said.
Lucas is especially concerned about seniors and families with young children, she said.
Community Action does a lot of consumer education to help people reduce energy costs, she said.
What is going on in other states?
LIHEAP funding nixed for summer (http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/article_af8ad880-8e5b-11e0-82d0-001cc4c002e0.html)
LINCOLN — A key source of state money to help people survive the heat this summer will not be available this year because of expected federal funding cuts.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will not have funding this summer in Illinois, according to the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Officials expect to conserve the LIHEAP funding they will receive for winter heating assistance.
“It’s going to be devastating for some … clientele,” said Kimberly Lucas, assistant coordinator for LIHEAP in Lincoln.
The Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois, a nonprofit organization that administers LIHEAP funding, is collecting money from individuals and organizations to buy fans for clients, Lucas said. To donate money for fans, call 217-732-2159, ext. 241.
If the Illinois governor’s office declares a state of emergency due to severe heat, federal and state agencies will coordinate with local officials to provide cooling centers, wellness checks and other assistance as needed.
The best Illinois can hope to see for federal LIHEAP funding in fiscal 2012 is a 60 percent reduction, from $246 million to $113 million, said DCEO spokesman Mike Claffey. The federal budget, which will take effect Oct. 1, hasn’t been settled yet.
“Though the reduction in federal funding for LIHEAP is unfortunate, the state’s decision is necessary to help heat homes across Illinois next winter, which is the program’s top priority,” Claffey said.
Pam Pullman, interim executive director for Mid Central Community Action, which administers the program in Livingston and McLean counties, hopes the funding will come through after all.
“At the present time there are no funds available (for cooling),” she said. “We don’t, of course, know if that will change.”
Lucas is currently referring people needing assistance to churches, The Salvation Army and other agencies that help. “Churches have been wonderful,” she said.
She is also keeping a list of names of people who call for help, but isn’t promising anything.
“I don’t want to give false hope,” she said.
Lucas is especially concerned about seniors and families with young children, she said.
Community Action does a lot of consumer education to help people reduce energy costs, she said.