Politics & Government

Sen. Duff Joins "Operation Fuel" to Tackle Energy Affordability Gap

Donations are needed to help 295,000 state households struggling to pay their energy bills.

On Thursday State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), Senate Chairman of the General Assembly’s Energy & Technology Committee, joined a press conference at the State Capitol to remark on the release of a new report on the energy affordability gap in Connecticut—the difference between what many households can afford to pay and what they actually owe on their annual energy bills.

The study was released by Operation Fuel, Inc., and finds that over 295,000 Connecticut households face difficulty in paying their energy bills.

“Energy affordability remains a pressing problem in Connecticut that affects tens of thousands of families every single year. As we enter the colder months of the year, it is important for all of us to remember that not everyone can afford to keep the heat on,” said Senator Duff in a release. 

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“The simple fact is that while government programs help many families with their energy expenses, sufficient funds do not exist to provide assistance to everyone in need," Duff continued. "In light of that, I hope those who are able will consider making a donation to Operation Fuel, either on their monthly utility bill or directly.”

Connecticut’s total home energy affordability gap was found to be $699,785,080, only 11 percent of which is covered through the state’s primary source of energy assistance for lower-income households, the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Find out what's happening in Norwalkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Operation Fuel is a private, nonprofit program that provides emergency energy assistance through its statewide network of more than 100 fuel banks.

The "fuel banks" serve lower-income working families, the elderly and disabled individuals who are in financial crisis and not eligible for energy assistance from government-funded programs. 

Operation Fuel works in partnership with businesses, communities, government and individuals to ensure that Connecticut households have access year-round to critically needed energy assistance.

“Home energy costs continue to present a significant financial burden for lower-income households in Connecticut,” explained Patricia Wrice, Operation Fuel’s Executive Director in the release. 

“Many Connecticut families are being forced to choose between paying their energy expenses or paying for food and other basic necessities," Wrice added. "This especially is troublesome for households with elderly residents, chronically ill members or young children whose health depends on a warm home in the winter or air conditioning in the summer.”

Operation Fuel and its statewide network of fuel banks will start taking applications for the winter program on December 1. This past year, Operation Fuel gave out nearly $3.6 million in energy assistance to more than 8,200 Connecticut households; serving a total of 21,432 individuals including 2,052 elderly and 8,222 children under the age of 18.


Donations for Operation Fuel can be sent to Operation Fuel, One Regency Drive, Suite 200, Bloomfield, CT 06002 or made online at www.operationfuel.org.


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