Politics
New England Governors Urge Congress for $3 Billion Boost to Winter Heating Aid as Oil Prices Soar
Six New England governors, led by Connecticut's Ned Lamont and Massachusetts' Maura Healey, are pressing congressional appropriators for an additional $3 billion in LIHEAP funding, warning that heating oil costs could jump 50% this winter and leave low-income families facing $1.1 billion in extra expenses.
BOSTON â In a bipartisan push, the governors of all six New England states are calling on Congress to add $3 billion to the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), warning that a projected spike in heating oil prices this winter threatens to overwhelm vulnerable households across the region.
The governors sent a letter dated Monday to House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole and Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, saying the extra money is âurgently neededâ and would bring total LIHEAP funding to $7 billion. The request was signed by Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott.
Citing the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, the governors said heating oil prices are projected to rise 50% this winter, and that low-income households in the Northeast could face $1.1 billion in additional heating oil costs.
âAt current funding levels, rising energy prices will erode the purchasing power of LIHEAP assistance, forcing states to reduce benefits or serve fewer eligible households when the need is greatest,â the governors wrote. They added that while states are investing in energy efficiency, weatherization and other long-term solutions, âthese efforts cannot fully offset the immediate financial pressures facing families this winter.â
The appeal comes as Massachusetts already faces a smaller LIHEAP allocation this year. In October, U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan said the stateâs $142.3 million share is nearly $4 million less than its initial allocation last year, after a five-year LIHEAP increase included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law expired. Trahanâs office noted that only about 20% of eligible households receive assistance each year because the program âhas long been underfunded.â
The crunch is visible at the pump. As of Monday, the statewide average price for a gallon of home heating oil in Massachusetts stood at $5.94 â down 3.73% from a week earlier but still more than $2 higher than the $3.74 average at the same time last year.
With winter approaching, the governorsâ request puts pressure on congressional appropriators to act before the heating season deepens. For New England households that rely on oil heat â a larger share than in most other regions â the difference between current funding and the governorsâ ask could determine whether they can keep the thermostat on through the coldest months.