By Pat Bradley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-998405.mp3
Montpelier, VT – Last year, the state of Vermont received a total of 27.6 million dollars in LIHEAP funds. This year federal fuel assistance is expected to total 19.5 million dollars, reducing the average benefit over 100 dollars to 750 dollars. On Tuesday, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin and Legislative leaders announced that 6.1 million dollars in state money will be added to state LIHEAP funds. The Governor said they would not let vulnerable Vermonters freeze. Vermont Association of Area Agencies on Aging President Ken Gordon calls the state supplemental funds absolutely essential.
Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity Public Policy Director Tim Searles is pleased to see the state step in, but frustrated that yet another fiscal burden is shifting to the states.
Vermont's largest utility is enhancing their heating assistance program called ShareHeat. In addition to setting a matching pool at 100-thousand dollars, the utility is sending ten-thousand dollars to local community action agencies. Spokesman Steve Costello says a combination of issues led to their decision, but the overriding factor was federal cuts to LIHEAP.
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin has directed the Department of Children and Families to review the sustainability of a state fuel assistance program and report back to the Legislature by the end of the upcoming session.