Winter Heating and Gasoline Crisis - Send Your Stories to Washington

[fight4my3sons]

Winter Heating and Gasoline Crisis

Send Your Stories to Washington

Summer in Maine has just begun, but it is the coming winter that occupies the thoughts of Maine families and small businesses. My Congressional office has received hundreds of calls from Maine families and businesses who are desperate and scared about how they will survive this winter. Gasoline, heating oil and diesel prices are rising at a record rate, and by the time winter arrives they are likely to be even higher. Maine families and small businesses will be forced to make difficult decisions about heating their homes, putting gas in their cars and feeding their families. They need and deserve help from those benefiting most from the current energy crisis.

We need bold action to change direction, provide immediate relief to families and small businesses and put America on a course toward energy independence. In Congress, I have been working on a number of initiatives that would provide immediate relief to families and small businesses across Maine and America. But more must be done.


Congress must immediately repeal the tax breaks and subsidies for Big Oil that have been granted over the last seven years by President Bush and his allies in Congress.
Investors and oil companies must stop driving up the price of crude oil by engaging in financial speculation and shady overseas trading and engaging in price fixing and monopolistic schemes.

Oil companies must dedicate some of their excessive profits to weatherization and heating assistance programs to help people lower their energy costs.

Families and businesses are suffering while the 5 big oil companies, ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips and British Petroleum, are enjoying record-breaking profits. One company, ExxonMobil, “earned” more than $40 billion dollars last year in profits- the single largest annual profit in history for an American corporation.


It is important that Congress understands that families and businesses in Maine and across the country are hurting and need relief. Please take a few minutes of your time to tell me your story. The form is available on my website, or you may email your stories to [e-mail]. Please include in your email your name and the town you are from.


Sincerely,

Tom Allen

U.S. Representative
1st District of Maine

[hatredisnotavalue]

1. Here are some help links too:

Property Tax Assistance

Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund "Circuit Breaker" Program: Eligible Maine residents can receive a partial refund of property taxes assessed and/or rent paid during 2007 on their primary residence. The program to apply for refunds of property tax assessed and/or rent paid during 2007 begins August 1, 2008. Call 624-7894 for an application or visit www.maine.gov/revenue/taxrelief/homepage.html

Energy Assistance Programs

If you cannot afford to heat your home, pay electric bills, or would benefit from energy improvements such as new insulation, a new heating system, or energy efficient appliances, help may be available from Maine Housing programs. Lower income households may qualify for heating assistance and energy improvements at no cost to them. Moderate-income households may qualify for low cost energy loans.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (commonly called LIHEAP or HEAP) provides money to low income homeowners and renters to help pay heating costs. The funds are distributed throughout Maine by 11 Community Action Programs, in most cases directly to the fuel vendors. The program is not intended to pay for all heating costs, but to assist in paying the heating bills.

Low Income Assistance Program

Low Income Assistance Plans (LIAP) help low-income homeowners and renters with their electric utility bills. Maine Housing, through Community Action Program agencies, accepts customer applications for LIAP as part of the LIHEAP application process.

Weatherization

Maine Housing’s Weatherization Program and Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP) provide grants to low-income homeowners and renters to improve home energy efficiency and perform energy-related repairs.

Appliance Replacement Program

The Appliance Replacement Program is designed to help low-income households reduce their energy costs through replacement of older refrigerators and other home appliances that are inefficient and expensive to operate, and through consumer education.

Home Energy Loan Program

The Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) provides very low interest rate loans to low- and moderate-income homeowners to finance improvements to make their homes more energy efficient. Income eligible homeowners may borrow up to $30,000 at 3.95% interest.
FOR INFORMATION GO TO: www.mainehousing.org Or contact them at: Maine Housing ▪ 353 Water Street ▪ Augusta, Maine 04330 ▪ [phone] ▪ [phone] ▪ TTY [phone] ▪ Fax [phone]




Transportation Programs

GO MAINE provides services and information to commuters and other travelers who live, work, or travel in the State of Maine: carpool ridematching, vanpool formation, transit information and bicycling and walking information.
GO MAINE works with commuters, employers, business groups, planning agencies, transit operators, and other local and regional partners throughout the state to build demand and advance the mutual goals of improved air quality, reduced traffic congestion and lower commuting costs. Toll-free: 1.800.280.RIDE / 800.280.7433 www.gomaine.org

Health, Social, Economic and Human Services Programs
Dial 211. United Ways of Maine, in collaboration with Ingraham, have established 2-1-1 Maine, Inc. as an efficient and effective response to the growing complexities and needs in health, social economic and human services.
2-1-1 Maine is part of a national movement to centralize and streamline access to health and human service information and resources.
You can search the website, www.211maine.org or dial 211 and a representative will search the database and find programs in your area. Some of the services offered include emergency shelter, health care, substance abuse, financial assistance, disability services, veteran’s services, senior services, children’s health and insurance and legal assistance.