By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Guam has been awarded $669,411 in funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP, the office Guam Del. James Moylan announced today.
Administered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the funding will assist individuals and families with low incomes in paying their home utility bills.
LIHEAP grants can also be used to weatherize homes to make them more energy efficient, and during disasters and extreme weather, to mitigate energy emergencies.
Today’s funding release includes funds appropriated by Congress from the Continuing Appropriations Act 2024, as well as $100 million appropriated for FY 2024 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
LIHEAP is administered through the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services under the Division of Public Welfare.
“Maintaining safe indoor air temperatures is critical, particularly for households that include older adults, individuals with disabilities, and young children," Moylan said.
"By helping to reduce the costs of home energy bills, reconnecting energy services that have been disconnected, preventing energy shutoffs, and providing minor energy-related home repairs, LIHEAP helps make sure that many in our community can meet their home energy needs while staying safe and healthy in their homes,” he added.
Locally, the second extension of the Prugråman Ayuda Para I Taotao-ta Energy Credit ended last month. The program gave ratepayers $100 in monthly credits to offset the levelized energy adjustment clause due to the unprecedented increase in world fuel prices.