THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

President Clinton today directed HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala to release Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) emergency funds totaling $45 million to Alaska and ten Northeastern and Middle Atlantic states. These states have been hit hardest by increases in home heating fuel prices this winter and are currently experiencing severe weather conditions.

The 11 states are: Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

These states have faced a substantial increase in home heating costs this winter. Fuel costs in some areas of the country have reached their highest point since the Gulf War. Although temperatures this winter have been relatively mild in most parts of the country, price increases have disproportionately affected low-income households in these states.

LIHEAP helps eligible families pay for fuel and weatherization to insulate homes. States determine eligibility and benefit levels. Also as part of LIHEAP, the Congress sets aside emergency funds to help States meet urgent home heating or cooling needs. The President determines when an emergency warrants the release of these funds.

This is the second release of LIHEAP emergency funds for fiscal year 2000. An additional $250 million in LIHEAP emergency funds is available for the remainder of the fiscal year.

The state allocations follow. These totals include funds that HHS will provide directly to tribes in these states.

       Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) FY 2000
                 State Contingency Allotments Released

                            January 25, 2000

                                Contingency               Number of 
     State                        Allotment              Low-Income 
                                                         Households 
     
     Alaska                      $2,470,028                  31,668 
     Connecticut                  3,108,201                 156,783 
     Delaware                       946,906                  35,921 
     Maine                       10,287,429                  83,478 
     Massachusetts               10,090,483                 362,966 
     New Hampshire                5,412,413                  47,183 
     New Jersey                   3,037,644                 351,193 
     New York                     2,648,201               1,429,901 
     Pennsylvania                 2,509,882                 713,392 
     Rhode Island                 2,627,584                  72,542 
     Vermont                      1,861,229                  32,421 
                                                           
                        Total   $45,000,000