Sep 10, 2008 8:59 am US/Eastern
Mass. Working To Avoid Home Heating Crisis
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
With New England's winter fast approaching and fuel prices at a premium, many families are worrying how they will pay to keep their homes warm this winter. Governor Deval Patrick's Emergency Task Force on Winter Energy Costs met for a third time Tuesday in Worcester to try to head off a home heating crisis.
"What I'm trying not to do is start a panic," the governor said. "We are very concerned about this; we have been working on this for many, many months"
One group of particular concern is homeowners who just miss qualifying for fuel assistance because of their income level; but many of those people are still struggling to pay their bills. Homeowners like Joan Dahl of Ashburnham.
"It will be the most challenging winter," Dahl said. Her latest fuel bill was for $1,100. Last year she replaced old windows to save energy. This year she will close off her beloved greenhouse.
"It's going to take any extra money I might have," Dahl said.
The state has already kicked in an additional $10 million for fuel assistance, and the governor is appealing to the federal government for more help.
Homeowners who qualify for the maximum fuel assistance benefit will get $635 - about enough money to pay for a single tank of home heating oil.
The governor's task force is looking at other ways to help homeowners reduce costs, coming up with plans to assist in making their homes more energy efficient. They hope to have recommendations by the end of the month.
There are a number of ways to apply for home heating assistance, some government sponsored and some privately funded; all cater to lower income families. You can find an outline of these resources, as well as contact information at
MassResources.com.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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