THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF OHIO CONGRESSMAN CHARLIE WILSON.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Charlie Wilson (OH-6) applauded the release by the Bush Administration of $450 million in energy assistance to help seniors and working families keep the heat on during this particularly hard winter.

“I’m relieved that the Bush Administration responded to calls from Congress to release emergency funding under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program,” Wilson said. “With energy bills going through the roof, that LIHEAP money is critical to helping seniors and working families stay warm this winter.”

Ohio is allocated $25,743,608 to help with families’ heating bills. This winter, Americans using heating oil will pay more than $2,000 per family – over three times the 2001 costs.

“I’m proud that Congress and the president could work together on this. This type of bipartisan cooperation means American families win. But there’s more to do. Now we need to work quickly on the major problems of high energy prices and the slowing economy,” Wilson said.

Families in need of heating assistance can call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project at 1-866-674-6327. NEAR is a free service providing information on where to apply for LIHEAP.