The National Action for LIHEAP is an ongoing grassroots lobbying effort designed to build momentum to fight proposed cuts in funding for the federal energy assistance program.
Developed by the NFFN leadership, after the Blizzard of 2010 forced the cancelation of the annual LIHEAP Action Day, and implemented by NFFN members across the country, the National Action for LIHEAP has resulted in press conferences, media blitzes, meetings with Congressional delegations and letters to Congressmen from the east to the west coast.
The campaign will culminate July 28 when NFFN members and LIHEAP supporters will come to Washington to participate in the Summer LIHEAP Action Day. The NFFN, working with the American Gas Association and the Edison Electric Institute, has organized a day of lobbying on Capitol Hill in behalf of LIHEAP.
The National Action for LIHEAP began when representatives of HeartShare in New York braved the February snows to make visits to the home offices of Congressional representatives and secured signatures on “Dear Colleague” letters being circulated in the House of Representatives in support of increased funding for LIHEAP.
Next, Entergy Arkansas president Hugh McDonald and Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln announced their support for increased funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program while speaking at a news conference at the Arkansas state fairgrounds in February.
Also speaking at the news conference was Rose Adams, executive director of the Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association, who read a proclamation from Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe making February 10, 2010 “Arkansas LIHEAP Day 2010” and former LIHEAP recipient Jema Quintana.
In March, during a board meeting in Detroit, NFFN Chairperson Sue Montgomery Corey announced to the media that the NFFN had written to Congressional leaders asking that Congress allocate an additional $2.5 billion for LIHEAP FY 2010 and provide $7.6 billion for the program for FY 2011.
Representatives from DTE Energy, the Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm, THAW Fund, Michigan Department of Human Services, the Michigan Public Service Commission and a LIHEAP recipient all participated in the news conference.
In Louisiana, on April 1, NFFN member Entergy teamed with local elected officials, government administrators, community organizations and LIHEAP recipients to hold media events in Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Monroe, and Lake Charles.
In Mississippi, Entergy officials and community advocates took part in visits to Congressional offices and conducted several media interviews to explain the need for increased funding for LIHEAP.
Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania PPL Electric President David G. DeCampli wrote to the 11 members of the House of Representatives and two Senators who represent the Allentown, PA electric utilities service district, asking them to support $7.6 billion in funding for LIHEAP in FY 2011.
In May, Southern California Gas President and CEO Michael W. Allman (third from left), California State Senator Roderick D. Wright (far left) and others urged Congress to approve $5.2 billion for LIHEAP for FY 2011 at a Los Angeles press conference.
Photos of the National Action for LIHEAP activities as well as samples of the media coverage can be viewed on the NFFN website – www.nationalfuelfunds.org – and the NFFN’s Facebook page.
The battle to preserve adequate funding for LIHEAP does not end with the Summer LIHEAP Action Day, there is much more work to be done. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend the NFFN’s LIHEAP Action Day in Washington, DC on February 9, 2011.
