Task force gains overview of energy assistance program
Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, speaks during Thursday’s meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Energy. Smith said the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is effective in its mission of helping people when it’s needed. A high-resolution photo can be found here.
FRANKFORT — Legislators on the Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Energy heard Thursday from two stakeholders involved with a long-time program that helps Kentuckians stay warm in the winter, cool in the summer and manage energy costs year-round.
Shannon Hall, executive adviser for the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services, and Rick Baker, executive director of Community Action Kentucky Inc., testified about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and a related federal grant.
“LIHEAP is 100% federally funded. It’s a block grant that comes through the department and then is used as a pass-through to Kentucky Community Action,” Hall said.
Hall and Baker said LIHEAP was established in 1982 during the Reagan administration, and it helps residents manage high energy costs, reduces service disconnects, reduces the need for assistance through weatherization and promotes responsibility. Payments are made directly to vendors and utility providers.
Baker said 23 agencies subcontract with Community Action, which has administered the program since the 1980s. The agencies help ensure local interest and coordination of local services, he said.
“The largest benefit we have is we have a physical presence. We’re the only community-based organization that has a physical presence in all 120 counties of the commonwealth,” he said.
Committee Co-Chair Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, said the program has been vital, “as we continue to mop up the war on coal in our area.”
“These programs have been so critical in saving the few families that we can from literally collapsing,” he said.
Smith said LIHEAP has been effective for people who needed kerosene to survive. And as fuel rates have gone up, the program has been a godsend for more and more people.
“I can’t say that about all the programs, but this has been a remarkable one,” he said.
Rep. Bobby McCool, R-Van Lear, said he has watched work being done for LIHEAP participants, and weatherization is hard work.
“You go on some of these trailers or buildings, and there’s no room. And it’s rocky. It’s muddy. It’s all these things. It makes it very difficult,” he said.
He asked how return on investment is being measured.
Baker said initially there’s a model that’s used and a machine is set up to measure the air infiltration before work begins on a home.
“Every measure that they do, every measure like caulking or insulation, every measure has to show a return on investment greater than what the cost of those materials are. So, you’re saving energy costs long-term in those homes,” he said.
Sen. Keturah Herron, D-Louisville, asked about a breakdown of renters and homeowners participating in the program. Baker said he didn’t have the information with him, but that type of data is tracked and he will obtain it for Herron.
She asked about any potential funding cuts and what the legislature should be looking for or considering in the future budget session.
Hall responded that federal legislation, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, did not take any action against LIHEAP, and the next potential hurdle would be the federal appropriations bill expected this fall.
“It could be a topic of funding at that point. I think until we get there, we won’t know,” he said.
Committee Co-Chair Rep. Jim Gooch Jr., R-Providence, said he has supported the program for years.
“I want to echo the comments that Senator Smith made. I’ve worked many years with your folks, and you do a great job helping a lot of folks who really are in dire need, especially in this program,” he said.
