Kyl Urges Reform of LIHEAP Funding Formula to Aid Hot-Weather States

WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) sent a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Republican of the Senate Appropriations Committee urging Congress to reform the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding formula so that assistance is distributed more equitably before additional funds are added to the program. LIHEAP funds help provide assistance to low-income residents who face difficulty paying their utility bills a clear concern in cold-weather states, but also is a critical concern in the summer when hot-weather states endure extremely high temperatures. The formula used to distribute LIHEAP funds, however, severely shortchanges hot-weather states such as Arizona, in most circumstances. In fact, in the 2005 fiscal year, less than three percent of all LIHEAP funds were spent on cooling assistance. Kyls letter was co-signed by eight other senators, including John Ensign (R-Nev.), Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), and Mel Martinez (R-Fla.).