State governments are trying to beef up their energy-assistance programs as rising heat costs strain more residents across the U.S. this winter, the Wall Street Journal reported. Minnesota and New York are tapping federal funds to provide enhanced benefits for their states’ programs. New Hampshire passed legislation that gives additional help to lower-income households using funds from its budget surplus. And in Connecticut, utility providers are giving ratepayers $10 monthly credits to help offset rising costs and providing discounts to low-income households. Heating costs for homes using natural gas are expected to rise 25% this winter compared with the previous winter, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Households heated by oil are expected to pay 45% more compared with last year. Prices have been driven higher this year largely due to the disruption in energy markets caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and increasing demand for fossil fuels, said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. Congress has set aside $4.5 billion for heating assistance this winter through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. That is up from the more than $3 billion allocated annually pre-pandemic.
