Energy Bills Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

W.Va. Delegates Talk Energy Issues

Energy & Environment Reporter Curtis Tate talks with Del. Bill Anderson, R-Wood, Chairman of the House Energy Committee, and Del. Kayla Young, D-Kanawha, Minority Vice Chair of the House Energy Committee.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, two bills have passed through both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature and have been approved by Gov. Jim Justice. They are Senate Bill 161 and Senate Bill 162.

The two bills are expected to be used to recruit a possible hydrogen manufacturing project using natural gas. Emissions from the manufacturing process would be pumped underground through the carbon capture and storage process.

Energy & Environment Reporter Curtis Tate talks about the two pieces of legislation with Del. Bill Anderson, R-Wood, Chairman of the House Energy Committee, and Del. Kayla Young, D-Kanawha, Minority Vice Chair of the House Energy Committee.

Also, the Senate has passed a bill to improve law enforcement’s awareness of and ability to interact with citizens who have certain mental health conditions. Reporter Chris Schulz has more.

And it was Aviation Day at the legislature, with the Capitol rotunda filled with high flying industry representatives. As Randy Yohe shows us, when it comes to West Virginia pilots, plane mechanics and especially manufacturing jobs, demand is far exceeding supply.

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The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

DHHR Offers Energy Assistance Program Supplement

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources announced a supplemental payment will be issued to individuals who received Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) assistance in the 2022 program year.

The payment will range from $25 to $465 and will be based on the amount of LIEAP assistance paid to the utility provider or to the client for bulk fuel.

The supplemental payment will be issued to the company that provided the main heating source for the individual’s home (i.e., electric company, gas company, etc.). Individuals who received LIEAP for bulk fuel will receive a check by mail.

This is a one-time payment. All clients should receive payment by the end of September.

Energy Assistance Program Accepting Applications

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is accepting applications for the Emergency Low Income Energy Assistance Program.

The program helps those with low income help pay their home heating bills. According to a release, eligibility for households is based on income, household size and whether the household is responsible for paying its own bill.

The maximum income limit to qualify is 60 percent of the state median income. Allowable monthly income for a one-resident household is $2,005 dollars. An extra $567 dollars is added for each additional person in the household.

Residents whose main heat source is gas or electricity are also required to provide their shut-off notice when applying for the program. Households that use other primary heat sources can qualify if their heating fuel is low during the application period.

Applications will be accepted until May 13, or until funds run out. Those interested can apply at their local DHHR office.

Application Period Opens For W.Va. Home Heating Assistance

West Virginia residents who need help with their home heating bills this winter can apply for another round of financial help from the Department of Health and Human Resources. The relief comes as the colder months are setting in and the economic future is uncertain, due to the pandemic.

Applications opened Monday for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, which will help pay heating bills for qualifying West Virginia homes for one month.

The heating assistance program occurs each year, but the DHHR said it expects more applications than normal due to hardships from the pandemic this year.

This season’s LIEAP program is funded through the CARES Act, federal COVID-19 relief aid distributed to states in the spring and summer, and is supplemented with a recent federal grant of more than $28.6 million, according to the DHHR.

Many LIEAP qualifying households received two additional heating support payments this year due to the pandemic. Additionally, money from the CARES Act was distributed to those who could not afford utilities during the first four months of the pandemic. After a voluntary hiatus, beginning July 1, West Virginia utility companies reinstated service shutoffs.

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin said in a news release that about 48,000 West Virginians will need heating assistance this winter.

To see if you qualify for West Virginia’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program, go to the website — wvpath.org.

State Gets Nearly $26M to Help With Energy Bills

A federal agency has released nearly $26 million in funding to help low-income families in West Virginia with energy bills and energy-efficiency upgrades.

The money comes from The Administration for Children and Families and its Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

The administration is part of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Jeannie Chaffin, the agency’s Community Services director, says the money will help families with children and seniors keep their homes at a safe temperature.

Individuals interested in applying for energy assistance should contact their local, state, territory or tribal assistance program or call 866-674-6327.