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Pappas calls on Biden Administration to tap federal heating oil and gas reserves

By Staff | Nov 16, 2021

Democrat Chris Pappas celebrates winning the New Hampshire U.S. House District One Congressional race at an election party in Manchester, N.H. Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/ Cheryl Senter)

MANCHESTER – With cold weather arriving in New Hampshire and energy prices rising, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) has called on the Biden Administration to take swift action to lower costs for families and communities this winter. In a letter with other members of the New England Congressional delegation, Pappas called on the president to take action to lower energy costs for families, including releasing inventory from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve (NEHHOR) and Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).

“With temperatures decreasing and home heating prices rising, it is vital that we do all we can to ensure that Granite State households can stay warm during the winter months,” said Congressman Pappas. “That is why I have called on the Biden Administration to prioritize policies that will lower costs for families, including releasing inventory from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve (NEHHOR) and Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) so that no family must choose between heating their homes and making ends meet.”

In the letter, the lawmakers wrote: “We write to strongly urge you to take swift action to mitigate the anticipated high heating costs for New England households as the winter season approaches. Due to energy supply shortages, a colder winter, and the continued economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, our constituents are likely to spend more on energy in the coming months than in previous winters. That is why we encourage you to use the authorities provided to you by Congress to lessen the financial burden on New England families.”

This summer, Pappas voted for $3.9 billion in funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), an increase of $150 million above the 2021 enacted level, in a key government appropriations bill.

Ahead of last winter’s cold weather, Pappas fought to secure $25,117,942 in assistance for LIHEAP following his calls to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to release funds as swiftly as possible. In 2019, he joined his colleagues in the New England Congressional delegation opposing cuts to LIHEAP.

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