Thousands of public gas customers across the country rely on the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a critical, life-saving program that serves American families and individuals in all 50 states plus U.S. territories and tribes. LIHEAP is funded via the congressional appropriations process and offers direct financial assistance to the most vulnerable Americans to use on their utility bills to ensure their energy needs are met.
On February 7, APGA staff joined the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC) at their event, LIHEAP Action Day, in Washington, D.C. More than 200 advocates from across the country traveled to Capitol Hill to share about the importance of sufficient funding for the program for fiscal year 2025. APGA is a member of NEUAC and works closely with their staff throughout the year to offer the perspective of public gas systems and coordinate advocacy efforts.
On this most recent LIHEAP Action Day, APGA staff teamed up with advocates from the states of Alabama and Ohio and met with nine congressional offices that represent both states respectively. The group shared about the impact that LIHEAP funding has had on community members in their states, as well as the rest of the country. Advocates at LIHEAP Action Day requested that Congress fully fund LIHEAP for the fiscal year 2025 at $5.1 billion. Full funding for the program is the only way that it can continue to meet the energy needs of millions of low-income individuals and families.
Congress has still not passed any of the 12 regular budget bills for fiscal year 2024, which must be passed to keep the federal government open. This could indicate trouble for those who rely on LIHEAP funding if leaders in both chambers can’t reach an agreement on either a stop-gap measure (known as a Continuing Resolution) or the regular funding bills before the first of two staggered deadlines on March 1 and March 8. This short timeline is further complicated as congressional appropriators have now begun conversations on funding priorities for the fiscal year 2025. Members of Congress have recently shared bipartisan and vocal support for increased regular funding for LIHEAP, both in fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025. So, advocacy efforts like LIHEAP Action Day are very important as these tough decisions are top-of-mind for policymakers in Congress.
APGA staff will continue to advocate for sufficient funding for LIHEAP on Capitol Hill and will provide updates on the appropriations process when possible. For more information on this advocacy priority, click here.
For questions on this article, please contact Joshua St.Pierre of APGA staff by phone at 202-407-0015 or by email at jstpierre@apga.org.