Senator Gillibrand Demands Release of Federal Heating Assistance Funding Amid Rising Energy Costs
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, recently held a virtual press conference to urge the Trump administration to release funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This demand comes as New Yorkers face increasing energy costs ahead of the cold winter months. Gillibrand highlighted that the price of crude oil has risen to $100 per barrel, a first since July, which she attributes to President Trump's actions concerning Iran. This increase has driven the average cost of heating oil in New York to $6.14 per gallon, marking a 66% rise from the previous year. Despite Congress appropriating LIHEAP funding in the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027, which allocates an estimated $360 million to New York, the administration has yet to release these funds. Senator Gillibrand has sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., emphasizing the critical need for this financial assistance for low-income households and seniors.