Americans Could Freeze to Death This Winter

The Long Emergency: Surviving Catastophies of the 21st Century - James Howard Kunstler


Gas shortage persists in Southeastern US Sept 30 2008


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GOVERNOR: PEOPLE COULD FREEZE TO DEATH
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WHYN AM
Friday, September 26, 2008

http://www. whynam560. com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle. html?feed=189062&article=4304667

(AP) Governor Patrick says there's a real possibility that people in America could freeze to death this winter due to the soaring cost of home heating fuel. Patrick met with members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation on Capitol Hill and later testified before a House panel on the need for heating aid in cold-weather states.

Patrick said the cost of heating a home -- whether by electricity, gas or oil -- is expected to cost between 20 and 31 percent more than a year ago. He said that will have an impact on many families, and not just those who are defined as low-income.

The House has approved legislation to double the government's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to 5.1 billion dollars for the coming winter. According to the Associated Press, Massachusetts would receive 163 million dollars under the plan, an increase of 36 million dollars from the last fiscal year. The Senate must still sign off on the measure. Meantime, Maryann Covalanski, who runs the Springfield Fuel Assistance Program says that it will help...but even more is needed.