Sen. Tester urges prioritization of federal energy program

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) is urging the Trump Administration to prioritize federal energy programs by supporting the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).

“Extreme weather across the United States, including record-breaking cold temperatures in several states recently brought by the polar vortex, have once again highlighted the importance of affordable access to home energy as a matter of health and safety,” Tester wrote in correspondence to the President, noting the initiatives can help keep energy costs low so Montanans can afford to heat their homes. “LIHEAP and WAP have long enjoyed bipartisan support, and we hope that you will prioritize funding for both programs in your fiscal year 2020 budget proposal.”

LIHEAP and WAP serve over 6 million low-income households in America, more than 17,000 of which are in Montana.

Over 71 percent of LIHEAP recipients have at least one household member who is a child, a senior, or an individual with a disability, per officials, and a recent study determined weatherization services available through WAP save single-family homes an average of $283 in annual energy costs.

Tester maintains heating and cooling costs can take up a large percentage of consumers’ monthly incomes.

“This is especially important during the peak winter heating and summer cooling seasons, when energy bills can comprise more than 30 percent of a low-income household’s monthly income,” Tester wrote. “Unfortunately, the number of households eligible for LIHEAP assistance continues to exceed the program’s capacity.”