WASHINGTON ACTION DAY FOR LIHEAP TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 8, 2003
President Bush has proposed that the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) appropriation for FY 2003 be reduced by $300 million dollars. This means that as many as 500,000 low-income families nationwide – could lose assistance in paying their winter heating bills. This represents a dismal and devastating situation for many families particularly in light of the fact that the cost of home heating fuels such as oil, propane, and natural gas have increased this winter.
In response to this situation, the National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN) has issued an urgent call for a Washington Action Day for LIHEAP to be held on January 8, 2003. It is suggested that all LIHEAP advocates arrange appointments with Senate and House of Representatives offices that represent your jurisdiction and ask for their support in restoring the proposed $300 million funding cut. A delegation of NFFN members will meet with representatives from the Bush administration. At the end of the Action Day, participants will share results and discuss further strategies at a convenient location. For more information, please contact NFFN Executive Director, George Coling, at 202-824-0660.
If you are planning on coming to Washington for Action Day, please make appointments with your Senators and Representatives or their staff people ahead of time. Any Capitol Hill office may be reached at 202-224-3121. If you are unable to participate in Action Day – contact your Senators and Representatives anyway and encourage them to support full funding for the LIHEAP Program.
HOME HEATING FUEL PRICES INCREASE
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), home heating fuel prices will increase significantly compared to prices for 2001-2002. Based on normal temperatures for the winter season (October-March) natural gas prices will increase by 31%, home heating oil will increase by 41%, and propane will increase by 17%.
EPA PROPOSES TOUGHER EMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR OFF-ROAD VEHICLES
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to reduce the amount of sulfur in diesel fuel used in off-road machinery (harvesting combines, earth moving equipment, etc.) from the current 3,000 parts per million to 15 parts per million within the next decade. Sulfur emitted by the burning of diesel fuel account for over 8,500 premature deaths annually. This proposal will bring the off-road vehicles and the fuel they use under the same requirements as large over-the road trucks and buses under a separate set of rules already approved by the EPA.
NRDC PRESENT THE ROLLING STONES IN A FREE CONCERT
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) announced in December that the Rolling Stones will perform a special free concert to raise awareness about global warming on February 6, 2003 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. NRDC and the Stones are staging this landmark event to “turn up the heat on global warming”, and showcase opportunities that exist right now to start fixing the problem. Fans can enter a sweepstakes to win two free tickets by completing the entry form at www.nrdcstonesconcert.org. The goal of this event is to encourage the general public to learn more about global warming. Visit http://rollingstones.nrdc.org/globalwarming/ for information and to find out what you can do to reduce the impact of global warming.
NOAA DECLARES 2002 THE SECOND WARMEST YEAR ON RECORD
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) working from the world’s largest statistical weather database has concurred that the year 2002 is going to be the second warmest year on record for the globe. The warmest year on record occurred in 1998.
ENERGY TIP
Reduce global warming by reducing home energy consumption, by using Energy Star products and appliances, by recycling, by driving fuel-efficient vehicles, by carpooling when possible, by planting trees, and by learning more about global warming so that we can all become better stewards of the planet on which we live.