ENERGY, TRANSPORTATION, AND ENVIRONMENT POLICY COMMITEE

COMMITTEES

Chair: Rep. Bill Crawford (IN)

1st Vice Chair: Rep. Tracy Steele (AR)

2nd Vice Chair: Sen. Yvonne Miller (VA)

Policy Staff: Washington Linkage Group

Committee Members	State
Rep. James E. Buskey	AL
Rep. Joe Gibbons	FL
Del. Talmadge Branch	MD
Del. Carolyn J.B. Howard	MD
Rep. Robert Jones	MI
Assm. Gordon M. Johnson	NJ
Rep. Jake Wheatley	PA
Rep. Joe Armstrong	TN
Rep. Joe Towns, Jr.	TN
Sen. Rodney Ellis	TX

Policy Notice

The National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) Executive committee and membership voted unanimously on August 18, 2005, to ratify a resolution supporting the expansion of LIHEAP Funding for emergency energy bill payments.

NBCSL Resolution 05-301 Supporting the Adequate Funding of the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), calls for the U.S. Congress to increase funding by $3 Billion to provide financial relief to low income distressed citizens who are unable to pay their energy bills.

The resolution further calls for the Congress to expand the scope and the formulas in such a way that LIHEAP funds are available to southern and western states which have experienced temperature extremes during the summer months, making summer fuel bills for the indigent unaffordable. Additionally, this policy statement requests that the White House release emergency funding already authorized by Congress. (Currently, there is $150 million emergency funding authorized in the FY 2006 Budget which has not been released.)

Cold weather temperature extremes experienced by states in the Northeast and Midwest, as well as extreme heat waves experienced in all regions during the summer months, combined with the dramatic increase in the cost of fossil fuels, have made fuel and energy bills out of reach for many low income and even some middle income families. The impact has been felt across all ethnic lines, but it has hit especially hard in low income African American communities.

The LIHEAP resolution (as it is now known) was co-sponsored by Rep.s Senfronia Thompson (TX), and Bill Crawford (IN) the Chair and Vice Chair respectively of NBCSL’s Energy Committee, along with Sen. Bettye Davis (AK), the former chair of the Energy committee.

Moving forward to implement this policy, NBCSL is working with other organizations and groups to continue to lobby congress. The Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the American Association for Retired People (AARP), and Pacific Gas & Electric (PGE), members of the NBCSL Corporate Round Table, along with many other stakeholders, are calling on Congress to provide full funding for LIHEAP for the FY 2007 budget and for the out year budgets as well.

Constituents and supporters may express their support for this critical economic safety net by e-mailing their U.S. Sen.s and Rep.. NBCSL has made this easy by clicking on the link below. This link will allow you to generate an e-mail that will be sent to your Sen. and Rep..

http://www.supportliheap.org

MISSION STATEMENT

This committee monitors issues related to sources of alternative energy, domestic transportation of people and goods, and the protection of the environment. It reviews issues related to the research, exploration, development, production, utilization and regulation of US alternative energy resources and renewable sources. The committee considers matters concerning air, water and surface transportation (examples include state-federal partnerships, federal-aid to highway and mass transit programs and state authority to regulate the transportation authority).

National Energy Policy
The United States is abundant in natural resources and is a global leader in advanced energy technologies. Yet, current demands for energy are placing local economies and suppliers at risk and posing serious challenges for our Nation. Oil and gas availability and wavering prices, constrained electric power grids and other factors are all signs that our Nation’s energy situation requires immediate attention. With its National Energy Policy resolution, NBCSL aims to educate its members, constituents and others on the need for a sound, rational domestic energy policy that will assure an adequate domestic supply of energy and the appropriate infrastructure.

Alternative Energy Sources

As the alternative energy debate heats up throughout the country, several
campaigns have sprung up to move our nation off foreign oil to cleaner,
cheaper and domestic energy resources. One of these plans, "The Pickens
Plan", has taken the lead in this discussion. With America consuming 25% of
the worlds oil demand, with just 4% of the world's population, we are
putting ourselves at great risks. By drastically transforming our methods in
producing energy through wind, solar and other methods, The Pickens Plan is
well positioned to provide the necessary solutions. To find out more about
the plan, visit: http://www.pickensplan.com/

RESOURCES AND HELPFUL LINKS

LIHEAP Program
Winter heating bills and summer electric bills can be very costly and many families struggle to pay them. If you can’t afford to pay your home energy bill, your home may not be safe and you may be at risk of serious illness or injury. LIHEAP is a federally-funded program that helps low-income households with their home energy bills. To inquire about LIHEAP and find out about assistance in your state, read the LIHEAP brochure.

U.S. Department of Energy e-Center
The e-center is the United States Department of Energy's (DOE) Web site for information on doing business with the DOE, including viewing current business opportunities, registering to submit proposals, and obtaining information and guidance on the acquisition and financial assistance award process.