News Releases for November 2005
November 17, 2005
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Hoeven Outlines North Dakota Heating Assistance Plan
Energy Conservation Forum Schedule 
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BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today in Bismarck and Fargo outlined a series of measures to help North Dakota families and schools address high energy costs this season, including maintaining direct assistance for home heating fuel purchases, energy efficiency assistance, and low interest loans for schools facing higher than usual energy costs this season.
Hoeven was joined for the announcements by Dave Goodin, vice president of operations, and Dennis Boyd, vice president of the MDU Resources Foundation. Mark Nisbet, North Dakota principal manager for Xcel Energy, will join the group in Fargo.
"We are currently covering home heating assistance under last year's eligibility guidelines, and will continue to work to do so throughout the winter without affecting other programs," Hoeven said. "At the same time, we believe Congress and the Administration will meet their responsibility under this federally funded program, and we will continue to encourage them to do so. Further, we're partnering with the private sector to bring additional assistance to North Dakota families."
The plan includes several features:
- The state will work within the Department of Human Services budget to maintain the original eligibility criteria for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) throughout the season.
- The state's Division of Community Services, working in cooperation with Xcel Energy, Montana Dakota Utilities (MDU) and the MDU Resources Foundation, will provide more than $500,000 in energy efficiency assistance for programmable thermostats, high efficiency furnaces and other aid to help contain the cost of home heating and other energy usage. In addition, they will conduct a series of eight Energy Conservation Forums throughout the state to help all consumers save money on home energy costs this winter.
- The North Dakota Public Finance Authority will make available low interest loans for eligible schools facing high energy and transportation costs due to the increased cost of fuel.
Hoeven, who was recently in Washington, D.C. to meet with senators, representatives and Administration officials, says the U.S. House of Representatives has included $1 billion for LIHEAP in its budget reconciliation bill, and the Senate has indicated it would like to add more. The Administration, he said, is supportive of increased funding.
"We're committed to helping our citizens meet the challenges of this heating season," Hoeven said. "That includes all of us on every level working together - state, federal and local, as well as the private sector."
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