December 23, 2021 11:00 a.m.

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has joined a number of colleagues in a letter urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to address the ongoing energy crisis and its impact on families served by the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program in Oregon and nationwide.

Wyden and the lawmakers said, “As the world economy recovers from the pandemic, global energy markets are struggling to keep up with a surge in demand and prolonged supply shortages”. The letter continued, “For low-income families, these price increases are unsustainable and will force them to choose between heating their homes and other essentials like rent, food or medicine”. Lawmakers said as state agencies and grantees prepare their winter programs, it is crucial that they have support from HHS to assist low-income households.

Wyden’s release said the cost of home heating is estimated to increase by 30 percent this winter, which is a level that has not been seen since 2014, and would affect 61 million households that use natural gas for heat. The letter requested information and timeline updates regarding implementation and eligibility for low-income families and funding needs for HHS to fulfill its obligations.

The full letter is linked: https://www.reed.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/12.20.21%20LIHEAP%20and%20Energy%20Crisis%20Letter%20to%20HHS_FINAL_new.pdf