Members Travel To The Nation's Capital To Advocate For Optimum LIHEAP Funding

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm (CTKMW) members were in Washington, D.C. Wednesday to visit with members of the Michigan Congressional Delegation seeking their support for optimum funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). On Monday, President Obama submitted to Congress a budget that calls for a reduction in LIHEAP funding by $400 million and nearly 37% less than Michigan Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin requested.
 

LIHEAP Action Day is hosted by the National Fuel Funds Networks and affords advocates from across the country the opportunity to visit with their Congressional leaders in the nation's capital. The group met with over 10 members of the delegation in a bipartisan effort to make the case energy assistance isn't a Republican or Democratic issue, but rather an issue of protecting vulnerable customers from being in crisis.

"LIHEAP Action Day started 10 years ago with 20 people coming to Washington to tell Congress why LIHEAP was essential," said Whitney Skeans and Sharon Theroux, co-chairs of the Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm. "More than 130 people attended to send a strong message that there should not be further reductions to LIHEAP. It is our hope that our delegation will be responsive and help make a difference for those who rely on this funding."

Participants from the Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm include:

• Renze Hoeksema (DTE)
• Winston Feeheley (DTE)
• Jason Muller (CMS-Consumers Energy)
• Whitney Skeans (Consumers Energy)
• Sharon Theroux (MCAAA)
• Renell Weathers (MILHS)
• Courtney Doman (THAW)
• Matthew Rowland (Salvation Army)

SOURCE Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm

RELATED LINKS
http://www.coalitiontokeepmichiganwarm.com