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electricity has other embedded costs as well, including such as the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and
those associated with purchasing and installing new ap- families with young children. All 50 states, the District
pliances and the necessary onsite electrical upgrades. of Columbia, and five U.S. territories currently receive
Restricting consumer access to energy options is the annual LIHEAP funding. LIHEAP has a direct impact on
exact wrong approach to take as families continue to every state and congressional district as it is a program
combat inflation and try to cope with the rising costs of that helps protect the country's most vulnerable popu-
goods and services. State delegations asked their Rep- lations. This year, the Department of Health and Human
resentatives to protect consumers' access to propane Services (HHS) staff, who are in charge of administer-
and other conventionally fueled appliances, including ing the program, were terminated. The White House
gas stoves, furnaces, and water heaters, by urging the proposed eliminating all LIHEAP funding in its FY2026
passage of the Energy Choice Act, H.R. 3699 in the budget. State delegations urged Representatives to
House and S. 1945 in the Senate. continue funding LIHEAP in FY2026 at levels similar to
Protect Americans' Access to Heating and Cooling recent fiscal years, and to ensure that HHS has the nec-
Assistance essary staffing to administer the program effectively.
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program Other issues included the Farm Bill, Tax Pro-
(LIHEAP) provides funding for low-income Americans visions (One Big Beautiful Bill), FY26 Appropriations,
to afford their essential home heating and cooling National Defense Authorization Act, Diesel Emissions
expenses. Each year, Congress allocates funding for Reduction Act Reauthorization, Commercial Drivers
LIHEAP. Since its inception, LIHEAP has enjoyed strong Under 21 Years of Age, and Surface Transportation
bipartisan support in Congress. LIHEAP places a signif- Reauthorization. For additional information about these
icant emphasis and priority on vulnerable populations issues and other topics covered, please click here.■

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20 Alabama Propane Gas Association | July / August 2025