House Republican Press Release

August 22, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Mike Alberts Supports Emergency Energy Assistance

Legislature Approves Energy Relief in Late Night Session

Residents Can Apply and Obtain Information by Calling the State 2-1-1 Hotline

State Rep. Mike Alberts, R-50^th District, Brooklyn, Eastford, Hampton, Pomfret, Woodstock, has supported emergency energy assistance legislation adopted in a special session that ended early Saturday morning.

“The state has a small surplus left over from last year and many people will be facing a winter home heating crisis,” said Rep. Alberts. “It makes sense to expand existing programs to help people deal with skyrocketing costs of fuel.”

Legislation adopted during the one-day special session provides:

• $8.5 million for Operation Fuel to provide emergency assistance to households with income between 151% and 200% of the federal poverty level ($31,800 to $42,400 for a family of four).

• $5 million for Operation Fuel to provide emergency assistance to households between 200% of the federal poverty level and 100% of the state media income ($42,400 to $93,821 for a family of four)

• $6.5 million for municipal grants to assist in heating public schools

• $4 million to provide home heating assistance to residents 62 years of age and older

• $3.5 million for home heating assistance grants to non-profits that provide human services or public health services for the state

• $3 million in additional funding for a rebate program for residential furnace/boiler replacement

• $2 million for rebates to residents that repair or upgrade their existing furnace/boiler to achieve greater efficiencies

• $2 million to change a furnace replacement loan program from low to zero interest. It increases those eligible for the program from 150% to 200% of the state median income (up to $187,642 for a family of four)

• $35 million for an Energy Contingency Account

• $7 million for a new Energy Audit Subsidy Program that provides energy audits to residential customers at a cost of $75

• $2 million for a weatherization program for individuals who qualify for state heating assistance

How to Apply

Individuals can call the state’s 2-1-1 hotline to receive information on who is eligible for various federal and state energy assistance programs and how to apply.

Rep. Alberts serves the 50^th Assembly District of Brooklyn, Eastford, Hampton, Pomfret and Woodstock in the state House of Representatives.