Title

Article on the state's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), quest

Authors

Lance Tapley

Source

Portland Phoenix

Date

2-17-2006

Pages

8-9

Abstract

Article on the state's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), questioning why the Maine State Housing Authority, which oversees the program, does not negotiate discounts with oil dealers or put the program out for competitive bid. Dale McCormick, housing director, last year proposed rules requiring the oil dealers to give LIHEAP recipients the same discounts they give other residential customers. In exchange, the housing authority would pay the dealers half the oil money in advance. The proposal died after oil dealers protested. The Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) puts out to bid its purchase of fuel for Cumberland County governments and currently has a contract that represents a 28 percent discount. If the state were to get an equivalent discount, it could have up to $8.1 million more to help the poor and elderly. With comments by Raymond Richard, head of the Kennebec County Community Action Program; and Jamie Py, president of the Maine Oil Dealers Association.

Subjects

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Maine State Housing Authority

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