Bill Introduced In Congress To Electrify LIHEAP Funding
January 24, 2022
Last week, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Jammal Bowman (D-NY) introduced the “Heating and Cooling Relief Act,” which would increase LIHEAP funding to $40 billion per year through 2031 and expand eligibility from 150 percent of the poverty level to 250 percent.
Unfortunately, the bill would allow states to use approximately one-third of LIHEAP funds to incentivize replacement of home heating fuel systems to electric heat pumps that run on coal and natural gas.
The bill would also require utilities and fuel dealers to turn over lists of all customers who have outstanding payment to state energy assistance coordinators.
The “Heating and Cooling Relief Act” is more of a messaging bill and has little chance of becoming law.