Gov. Martin O?Malley on Thursday announced a $5 million increase in funding to help low-income families pay their energy bills.
The move came six days after a 50 percent BGE electric rate increase went into effect, an increase his appointees to the Public Service Commission were unable to cut, and two days after the governor appointed a new energy administrator to help reduce energy prices and increase conservation.
The state will now have $57 million available through the Department of Human Resources and local social service agencies to help as many as 90,000 Maryland households with energy subsidies of up to $500 per year. The new money will aid about 3,000 more families than last year, O?Malley said, and they can receive $100 more than in 2006.
The money will go to families at 175 percent of the poverty level ? that?s a family of four making $40,000 a year, the governor said.
Human Resources Secretary Brenda Donald said the eligibility requirement had been raised to 200 percent of the poverty line last year, but her agency found few additional families applied for the help, so officials decided to concentrate the aid to those most in need.
People seeking the grants can apply directly to the state by phoning 1-800-332-6347, or they can contact their local social services department or community action agency.
“You?re going to be seeing more steps coming out of this administration in the weeks ahead” to mitigate the higher electric rates, O?Malley said. “You will see us rolling out other measures on conservation,” and ways to reduce consumption and per capita electric use.
In response to the death of a Prince George?s County resident from the heat May 29, Health Secretary John Colmers emphasized that “everybody should be careful in hot weather,” drinking liquids and staying cool in the shade or in air-conditioned buildings.
Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon said the problem of the high electric rates “is the No. 1 issue being asked.” She thanked the governor for the increased aid and said, “We?re going to be doing more in the city of Baltimore.” A city official said 29,000 people currently get energy assistance.
Energy assistance
For state help for low-income families, contact:
» Anne Arundel County Economic Opportunity Committee
410-626-1910
» Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development
410-396-5555
» Baltimore County Department of Social Services
410-853-3385
» Carroll County Human Service Programs, Inc.
410-857-2999
» Harford County Community Action Council
410-638-3240
» Howard County Community Action Council
410-313-6440
