Menendez applauds release of over $25M in emergency funds

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2008

CONTACTS:
Afshin Mohamadi 202-224-4744

WITH OIL PRICES AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH, SEN. MENENDEZ APPLAUDS RELEASE
OF OVER $25 MILLION IN EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY FUNDS TO HELP NEW JERSEY
LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS KEEP WARM THIS WINTER

Senator Menendez has been an advocate for LIHEAP and has
asked the administration to add $1 billion for emergency funding

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a strong advocate for increasing funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that helps families who are struggling with daunting energy costs this winter, today said he is pleased with the administration’s announcement today it will be releasing around $450 million in LIHEAP emergency contingency funds, more than $25 million which will go to New Jersey.

“The New Year began with the price of oil hitting $100 dollar a barrel, which translates into out of control heating costs for all Americans, especially for low-income families. In the richest country on earth people shouldn’t have to wonder whether they can keep their homes warm through the harsh winter, and I am pleased the administration has taken this action,” said Menendez.

This past December, Sen. Menendez joined Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) in asking the president for an additional $1 billion in funding (http://menendez.senate.gov/pdf/120307LIHEAPletter.pdf); he is also a co-sponsor of legislation Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-VT) introduced – the Keep Americans Warm Act of 2007 would also increase funding to LIHEAP by $1 billion.