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In case the freezing temperatures and snow squalls weren’t confirmation enough, winter is here. Fortunately, residents will be comforted by some hot initiatives enacted by local legislators.
As Democratic chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, state Sen. Vince Fumo initiated a $500,000 state grant that aimed to keep winter chills at bay. Tuesday, a day after Fumo announced he would temporarily step down from this post in response to a possible indictment this week, prosecutors officially charged the politician (see story at top right).
The previously secured money — $150,000 obtained by Fumo, another $150,000 by state Rep. Dwight Evans and $200,000 by Gov. Ed Rendell — will be doled out predominantly to residents whose natural-gas service has been disconnected.
Directly receiving the funds is Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), which will credit the accounts of those who meet specific eligibility requirements.
"As you get into the winter season, you encounter residents who face the prospect of freezing in their homes," Gary Tuma, Fumo’s spokesman, said. "It was important [for the senator] to get people who were disconnected or shut off reconnected for the wintertime."
Tuma could not give a specific date as to when PGW will receive the funding, but said last week it would happen "in a matter of days."
PGW spokesman Doug Oliver also confirmed the utility is expected to receive the money "shortly."
Guidelines for receiving funds are: Disconnected residents 150 percent above the federal poverty level are eligible for a $300 credit and must enter into a repayment agreement with PGW. Residents under the 150 percent mark who have not tapped into funds through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program are not be eligible for the grant money but can seek aid through LIHEAP. Those in the same bracket who utilized LIHEAP are eligible for grant money, "depending on the individual’s circumstance," Tuma said.
Oliver noted the city still has 7,700 households with disconnected service. The utility will work with the city’s Energy Coordinating Agency to identify the homes best suited for the grant money.
In an effort to reach a broader population, $50,000 of the grant is specifically geared toward the city’s 12 neighborhood energy centers (two are in the area). Distributed according to need, the funds would instigate more aggressive outreach to counsel strained customers on how to obtain assistance.
Neighborhood Energy Centers "are vital to ensuring that Philadelphians have access to stop-gap funding in crisis situations," Evans said in a statement. "With long-term solutions, such as weatherization and conservation techniques, we must work together to ensure that these measures provide a winter safety net beneath our citizens that does not fray."
One such site is Diversified Community Services, 1920 S. 20th St., which provides a few weatherization workshops per month. Executive Director Cheryl Weiss said they are well-attended due to cleverly scheduled times.
"We often do the workshops when [residents] are waiting to have their energy assistance applications processed," she said.
United Communities Southeast Philadelphia, 2029 S. Eighth St., is another energy center, but its representatives could not be reached for comment.
Though commending the grant money, Weiss noted a bigger issue should be addressed.
"Having heat, light and water is as basic as having food and shelter," she said. "If you don’t have the basic utilities, you lose your shelter — and that contributes to homelessness. In order for this to not be a continuing [occurrence], residents need employment so they can pay their own bills."
But Weiss added completing such a task is not always easy, since natural-gas prices have skyrocketed. Her personal bill last winter was more than 30 percent above its average.
Oliver said PGW has received about $7.5 million in grants for LIHEAP, while PECO spokesman Cameron Kline said the utility he represents, which services 470,000 natural-gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania, received $3.6 million. The LIHEAP application deadline is March 22.
The price of gas has dropped 8 percent over the last seven months, Oliver said, adding PGW purchases the resource at cost without markup to its customers.
But in December, the organization filed a request with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to boost distribution charges, since its operating expenses increased. If approved, a resident’s bill would swell by more than 9 percent.
However, Oliver said the decision would most likely arrive no sooner than nine months from now due to court hearings and "would not likely affect our customers this winter."
Additional assistance from outside the country apparently has made its way to Philadelphia homes. Through efforts partly made by U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, five million gallons of discounted oil will heat the homes of up to 25,000 city dwellers.
Citgo, an arm of Petro-Venezuela, will offer the resource for the second year in a row — this time at a 40 percent discount. Residents already receiving federal-fuel assistance that meet LIHEAP guidelines are eligible for up to 200 gallons. Through another option, residents meeting specific income requirements can receive 100 gallons for free. Most fuel deliveries are made by a customer’s regular oil-delivery firm.
Dubbed the Citgo-Venezuela Heating Oil Program, the endeavor, enacted by Citizens Energy Corp. in Boston and administered by Philadelphia nonprofit Energy Coordinating Agency, is in the business of heating homes.
"I … encourage our own American oil companies to follow the lead of Citgo and reach out to assist families who struggle to stay warm during the winter months," Fattah said in a news release. "In America, a family should never have to decide between food and fuel."
Oil administered through this program is still available. To apply, call 877-563-4645.
Cool cash
Though the typical American family spends more than $1,800 on utility bills a year, a large portion of that energy is wasted.
According to the initiative Stay Warm Pennsylvania, small steps can slash such costs while still keeping you toasty this winter.
•Keep the thermostat between 66 and 68 degrees. A temperature change by a few degrees can drastically impact energy usage.
•Lower the thermostat on your hot-water heater (115 degrees is comfortable for most uses) and wrap an insulation blanket around the unit.
•Close vents in unused rooms.
•Cover windows with insulated curtains.
•Clean the dryer-lint filter after each use of the appliance.
•Replace incandescent bulbs with compact-flourescent bulbs. The latter are more energy efficient and last longer.
•Caulk, seal and weatherstrip all seams, cracks and openings in the house.
