PSE Goes to Capitol Hill to Push for Full Funding of Low-Income Heating Assistance
BELLEVUE, Wash.-(Business Wire)-February 12, 2009 - Puget Sound Energy today joined other utilities and representatives of social service agencies from across the country on Capitol Hill to urge Congress to sustain funding to help low-income households pay their heating bills through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
As part of the Feb. 11 National Fuel Funds Network’s Washington Action Day for LIHEAP, PSE representatives met with Congressional members requesting their support for full LIHEAP funding for fiscal year 2010.
“With growing unemployment, our customers are in greater need than ever before of help paying their winter heating bills,” said Suzanne Hanson, energy assistance program manager for PSE, a participant in the Washington, D.C., event. “Currently, PSE is routing an average of 240 customers per week to low-income assistance agencies in Washington state.
“Fortunately, last year’s increased LIHEAP funding is making a difference by reaching more customers and having available funds last longer throughout the winter months and year,” added Hanson. “Full funding of LIHEAP for next winter would help provide more relief to customers facing economic uncertainty and high winter heating bills.”
Last fall, Congress approved a nearly double increase in LIHEAP funds for fiscal year 2009. The share for the community service agencies serving residents in PSE’s 11-county Washington state service area was $14 million, up from $7 million in fiscal year 2008.
Additionally, Puget Sound Energy offers the Home Energy Lifeline Program, or HELP, to qualified low-income customers who need to supplement their federal aid. Depending on income and household size, a qualified low-income recipient can receive up to $750 from PSE’s HELP, and up to $1,000 in LIHEAP funds.
PSE customers needing contact information for the nearest HELP or LIHEAP community service agencies should call, toll-free, 1-866-223-5425 or the agency in their county listed below.
Community Service Agencies
Island County
Opportunity Council
360-679-6577
1-800-317-5427
Jefferson County
Olympic Community Action Programs
360-385-2571
King County
Multi-Service Center (for South King County)
1-800-348-7144
Hopelink (for North and East King County)
1-800-348-7144
Central Area Motivation Program (for Seattle)
1-800-348-7144
Kitsap County
Kitsap Community Resources
360-479-1507
Kittitas County
HopeSource
1-509-674-2375 (Cle Elum)
1-509-962-0435 (Ellensburg)
Lewis County
Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties
360-736-1800
Pierce County
Pierce County Department of Community Services (county residents)
1-866-223-1359
Metropolitan Development Council (Tacoma residents)
253-572-5557
Skagit County
Skagit County Community Action Agency
1-360-428-1011
Snohomish County
Snohomish County Human Services Department
425-388-3880
Thurston County
Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties
360-438-1100
Whatcom County
Opportunity Council
360-255-2192
1-888-586-7293
About Puget Sound Energy
Washington state’s oldest and largest energy utility, with a 6,000-square-mile service area stretching across 11 counties, Puget Sound Energy serves more than 1 million electric customers and nearly 750,000 natural gas customers. PSE, a subsidiary of Puget Energy, meets the energy needs of its growing customer base primarily in Western Washington through incremental, cost-effective energy conservation, procurement of sustainable energy resources, and far-sighted investment in the energy-delivery infrastructure. PSE employees are dedicated to providing great customer service to deliver energy that is safe, reliable, reasonably priced, and environmentally responsible. For more information, visit PSE.com.
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