Projo Biz Blog

U.S. Reps. Jim Langevin (D-RI) And Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) this morning joined 19 other members of the New England Congressional Delegation to push for more home heating assistance. The delegation asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to endorse a boost to energy assistance funding in an upcoming economic recovery package or stand-alone legislation.

"This week, as Rhode Islanders face the prospect of the summer's second heat wave, I am already thinking about the strain skyrocketing home heating oil costs will place on hardworking families," said Langevin, in a statement. "Our neighbors should not have to decide between heating their homes and putting food on the table as winter hits."

The delegation supported Pelosi's call for President Bush to immediately release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Secondly, a letter sent by the delegation to Pelosi asks her to consider legislation or include provisions in a second economic stimulus package that will increase funding and expand eligibility for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Langevin is a cosponsor of legislation introduced last week that would allow the Secretary of Energy to release heating oil from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve in the coming winter if the price of home heating oil remains over $4 per gallon. Proceeds from the sale of reserve supplies would fund LIHEAP and the Weatherization Assistance Program.

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