More middle class families struggling financially because of unexpected increases in gasoline and electricity prices and sharp increases in the cost of home heating oil will be eligible for energy assistance under an energy assistance package adopted by the legislature on Aug. 22.
The energy assistance measures include:
• $8.5 million for Operation Fuel to provide emergency assistance to households
with incomes between 151 and 200 percent 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 with
incomes between 200 percent of the federal poverty level and 100 percent of the
state media income ($42,400 to $93,821 for a family of four)
• $6.5 million for grants to local and regional school districts to assist in heating
public schools
• $4 million to provide home heating assistance to residents 65 years of age and
older
• $3 million in additional funding for a rebate program for residential furnace/boiler
replacement
• $2 million for rebates to residents who repair or upgrade their existing
furnace/boiler to achieve greater efficiencies
• $2 million to the Energy Conservation Loan Program to provide additional loans
for the program for efficiency improvements, alternative energy devices, and
replacement furnaces and boilers. The legislation also sets a 0% interest rate for
loans for natural gas furnaces or boilers that meet or exceed federal Energy Star
standards and propane and oil furnaces and boilers that are at least 84% efficient,
including those eligible for an existing rebate of up to $ 500. 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)
• $2 million for a weatherization program for individuals who qualify for state
heating assistance
For more information on who is eligible for state and federal energy assistance programs, you can call the United Way of Connecticut’s 2-1-1 information line for the location of the nearest agency to apply for the aid. Residents also can call the state’s winter heating aid hotline at 800-842-1132 to learn about the current income and asset eligibility limits. This month in the district I have had the honor of presenting State of Connecticut citations to the Stafford and Somers firefighters and citizens who worked diligently to save a woman from a burning car on Gulf Road in July. Spending time with our men and women in uniform is always an honor and I was proud to be part of the recognition event.
I also participated in the Stafford Public Schools’ ‘It takes a Village to Raise a Child’ breakfast and welcoming ceremony. You could feel the energy of the teachers and staff as they greeted each other and prepared to begin another school year. Also, as this column goes to press, I am looking forward to my second energy efficiency meeting to take place at the Stafford Senior Center. At my own request, the Speaker of the House Jim Amann appointed me to serve on the newly formed Prison Staff Safety Task Force, a legislative group that will look at the safety conditions faced by the Dept. of Corrections, and we will make a report back to the General Assembly. I am looking forward to doing this important work. I am continuing to take applications from veterans who wish to participate in the state’s Medal of Honor awards ceremony. If you know of a veteran who is not listed with the town’s assessor’s office, please urge them to call my office so that we can send them an
application.
I have started a new newsletter and would love to add you to the email distribution list. If you are interested, please email me at penny.bacchiochi@cga.ct.gov. I will be sending out capitol news updates on a regular basis to keep my constituents informed of the goings-on at the Capitol. State Rep. Penny Bacchiochi (R-Somers) represents Somers, Stafford and Union in the General Assembly.
