Oct. 8, 2005
 
Rahall Calls on Congress to Help WV Families Combat Soaring Gas, Heating Costs
 
By HNN Staff
 
Washington, DC (HNN) – U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-WV voted against a Republican energy bill that fails to address soaring gas prices and rising home heating costs and expressed his dismay that the Bush Administration and Republican leadership in Congress are doing nothing to address these concerns in light of skyrocketing prices.
 
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to provide low-income families with energy cost relief, but is struggling to keep up with growing need. Yet, the Republican Congress' answer is to pass a bill that does nothing to help families with heating costs.
 
"In West Virginia only 29 percent of eligible recipients are receiving aid from LIHEAP. This means that means almost 165,000 of families eligible are not receiving assistance," said Rahall. "We need an energy policy that helps families with skyrocketing costs, and provides relief for families who are struggling to make ends meet."
 
According to the National Energy Assistance Survey report, in fiscal year 2005 the typical household spent an average of 14 percent of their annual income on residential energy. This year, with record high gas prices and no relief in sight, energy bills are expected to increase by approximately 71 percent. More West Virginians will not get the assistance they need if Republicans continue to choose special interests over the priorities of working families.
 
"Since 2001, home heating oil costs have nearly tripled, and natural gas costs have more than doubled, nearing crisis levels for homeowners," said Rahall. "With earnings for the oil industry expected to jump 73 percent next quarter, the oil companies don't need any more help - it's the American people who need real relief at the gas pump and with their home heating costs."
 
Rahall has proposed many different options for alleviating the pressure of high gas prices on the people of southern West Virginia. He is a proponent of alternative fuels to gasoline, especially coal-based fuels including liquid or gaseous coal-based fuels. Rahall has also urged the Administration to conduct an investigation into the possibility of price fixing by the Big Oil companies and is supporting legislation to combat price-gouging