$500,000 Initiative Will Help Struggling Families Stay Warm

 

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced that $500,000 in state funding will support an
urgent initiative to aid residents of Philadelphia who are without heat due to the rising costs of winter heating bills.

"High energy costs have caused a tremendous hardship for many low-income families," Governor Rendell said. "By helping customers who are behind in their payments to take steps to restore their utility service, we can help to ensure that no family is left to struggle and shiver in the cold, or is forced to use alternative - and unsafe - heating sources."

Governor Rendell committed $200,000 to the effort, which will supplement $300,000 that was pledged by Sen. Vincent Fumo and Rep. Dwight Evans, both of Philadelphia.

The initiative will provide $500,000 to Neighborhood Energy Centers to fund immediate reconnection assistance for low-income customers who are without service. It will also support outreach to households that could be at risk of losing utility service due to financial issues and educate them about steps they can take to avoid service termination.

In addition, the initiative will pull together the resources of existing utility-sponsored weatherization programs to help households that have unusually high energy usage rates.

In November, Governor Rendell announced expanded aid to help all Pennsylvanians stay warm this winter. This year, a family of four with an annual income of up to $30,000 can qualify for the state-run, federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). More information and enrollment help is available, toll-free, at 1-866-857-7095. Comprehensive information about government-funded, utility-sponsored and community-based heating assistance programs also is available through the state's StayWarmPA initiative. For details, visit http://www.staywarmPA.com or call, toll-free, 1-866-550-4355.

The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us.

CONTACT:
Kate Philips
717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Last Updated: December 26, 2006