LIHEAP Adovocacy Resources

Generate letters to both of your Senators and your member of the House of Representative

Have you made your voice heard in support of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program?

Have you let your Congressional delegation know how important it is to provide at least $5.1 billion in funding for LIHEAP for FY 2011?

If you have not, please take a few minutes to visit the website sponsored by the American Gas Association and send letters to Congress supporting this vital program. The site is easy to use and with just a few keystrokes you can generate letters to both of your Senators and your US House of Representatives.

During the 2010 National Energy and Utility Affordability Conference, more than 350 letters were sent to Congress by conference attendees. Now it’s your turn to act. Visit the site, send the message and ask your friends to do the same. Let Congress know the importance of this program.

Organize a local press conference to support LIHEAP funding

View videos of model press conferences on LIHEAP funding (approximately 10 minutes each)

• Southern California Gas Company press conference, Los Angeles, May 20, 2010
• NFFN/CEDA press conference, Chicago, December 2, 2010

Advocating for Energy Assistance

Since its founding in 1984, the National Fuel Funds Network has been a vociferous advocate for increased LIHEAP funding. The Network engages members and other organizations in what have become yearly struggles to maintain barely adequate funding for LIHEAP.

View NFFN members’ June 2010 resolution calling for a $5.1 billion LIHEAP appropriation for FY 2011.

The centerpiece of the Network’s advocacy for increased LIHEAP funding is NFFN’s LIHEAP Action Day. Early in the year, teams of NFFN nonprofit and utility members from acress the country assemble in Washington and blanket Capitol Hill in, speaking in one voice for increased LIHEAP funding. In 2010, the Network collaborated with Edison Electric Institute and American Gas Association for a successful Summer LIHEAP Action Day in July. In 20ll, NFFN will continue the program. Summer LIHEAP Action Day will be August 2. NFFN's LIHEAP Action Day 2012 will be Wednesday, February 15. See above for details and registration information.

The National Fuel Fund Network’s advocacy program also features:

• regular ACTION ALERTs and UPDATES on LIHEAP funding to members and other interested parties.
• testimony and representation on Capitol Hill on behalf of NFFN members.
• training on effective LIHEAP advocacy at the Network’s National Energy and Utility Affordability Conference.
• provision of “LIHEAP Saves Lives” bookmarks, a short “how-to” on LIHEAP advocacy to members. To request, state the number needed and email info@nationalfuelfunds.org.
• production and distribution of fact sheets on legislative issues as the need arises.
• Regular coverage of LIHEAP legislative affairs on NFFN’s Facebook page.

In its advocacy program, NFFN shares information and works closely with a network of other LIHEAP advocates from the nonprofit, utility, fuel oil and government sectors. For instance:

• The Campaign for Home Energy Assistance publishes advocacy information at www.liheap.org.
• The National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association is a regular source of detailed information on LIHEAP funding and policy implications. Visit www.neada.org.