SUPPORTING A WARMER WINTER FOR PENNSYLVANIANS
HARRISBURG, OCT. 20 – State Sen. Connie Williams joined Governor Ed Rendell today in calling for increased assistance for low-income families facing the task of paying higher than usual home heating costs this winter.
“First and foremost, we must ensure that Pennsylvanians are warm this winter,” Williams said. “Rising energy costs are going to put a strain on everyone’s budgets, but for some Pennsylvanians, the higher prices could be a budget-breaker. No one should have to decide between heating their homes and paying their mortgages and putting food on the table.”
“Stay Warm PA would provide the additional assistance that Pennsylvania families need this year,” Williams added.
The plan calls for the state for the first time to authorize $15 million in state dollars for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to augment federal dollars that may be held to the 1982 level of $1.8 billion, and $3 million in state funds for the Homeowner Mortgage Assistance Program. Additionally, the governor called on energy companies and utilities to make extra investments to help low-income consumers to meet energy bills.
A portion of the governor’s Stay Warm PA program would involve the legislature passing enabling legislation to authorize the Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday Program. Williams’ legislation (S.B. 266) would create an Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday Program on the sale of certain energy efficient appliances sold to Pennsylvania homeowners. The Senate Finance Committee in June passed the legislation out of committee.
The program would give consumers two weeklong holidays from sales tax on the retail sale of certain energy efficient appliances. It also would include consumer tax savings on home weatherization supplies, such as exterior windows, exterior doors, storm windows, insulation, home wrap and furnaces.
Appliances that would qualify under the proposal include clothes washers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners, ceiling fans, programmable thermostats, ventilating fans, compact fluorescent bulbs and residential light fixtures.
According to Williams, the governor has also joined with 28 other governors to request an increase in federal funding for LIHEAP.
On a state level, the administration has announced that it would lower the temperature in all state buildings to 68 degrees, as well as looking for additional ways to create energy savings plans that go beyond those already in place.
The administration has also asked the Public Utility Commission to give a second chance to people facing utility termination for failure to pay bills. Utilities are being asked to charge no more than $50 for a reconnect fee and no more than $100 for a deposit for those being reconnected if the family is under 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
“This is a multi-pronged approach that not only provides a safety net for low-income consumers who need the financial help, but also promotes energy conservation methods that will benefit every consumer and business,” Williams said. “Every Pennsylvanian can take steps to lower their energy bills through simple conservation methods and by ensuring their home or business has been properly weatherized.”
The state is launching a Web site later this week that will provide access to information on energy conservation, lowering utility bills and links to programs that provide assistance in paying utility bills. Williams said she would provide a link to the state’s new site from her own Web site, which is located at www.pasenate.com/cwilliams.
“As always, my district office staff in King of Prussia and Havertown will be available to help consumers in the 17th District to access LIHEAP and other programs,” Williams said.
Williams said that she plans to host home weatherization workshops in her district in the coming months. Information on dates and locations will be released as workshops are scheduled. Constituents can watch the Senator’s Web site for more details.
Williams’ offices can be reached by calling: 610-992-9790 (King of Prussia) and 610-853-5433 (Havertown).