High energy bills anticipated
The federal government has awarded Connecticut about $90 million for the Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP,) roughly $50 million less than what Connecticut got last year. But last year’s allocation was bolstered with emergency coronavirus pandemic aid. Before the pandemic, the state’s allocation was closer to $80 million.
If early demand is any indication, the $90 million Connecticut has gotten will be far too little, said Brenda Watson, executive director of Operation Fuel.
The Hartford-based nonprofit energy assistance group helped roughly 6,500 households cover their heating and other energy bills between July 1, 2021 and June 30 of this year — with the highest demand coming during the winter months.
Operation Fuel’s caseload between July and Oct. 31 of this year already has hit 4,000 — about double those served during the first four months of the last fiscal year.
And winter isn’t here yet.
“I never in a million years have dreamed we would have served double the folks we served last year,” Watson said.
Senate and House Republicans want Connecticut to commit $112 million in state funds to the federal allocation so families know heading into the winter the funds are there.
Lamont and Democratic legislative leaders have said the state should wait to see if Congress adds more funds for LIHEAP during the winter session. If not, state legislators can consider action once their regular session starts on Jan. 4.
But Kelly said that option would preclude any more state funding from being approved until late January or early February at the earliest. By then, worried families will have already cut back in ways they cannot afford.
“They’re going to cut back on their rents,” Kelly said. “They’re going to cut back on their medications. They’re going to cut back on their food — so they can stay warm.”
Lamont and Democratic legislators fared well at the polls Tuesday in Fairfield County and in Connecticut’s affluent suburbs in general, and Kelly suggested the party was losing its sensitivity to working families most in need.
“I believe they’re listening to a constituency that is wealthier than the middle, working class of Connecticut,” he added.