Sen. Ed Markey called the proposal"the ambitious and comprehensive legislation we need to help ensure the health and safety of American families and support a just transition away from fossil fuel consumption."Pledging to end the"life and death crisis of energy injustice" in the U.S., Rep. Jamaal Bowman and Sen. Ed Markey on Thursdaya bill to expand federal investment in energy assistance for low-income households and protect millions of people from utility shutoffs.
"There is no reason why, in the richest nation on Earth, people in our communities should be forced to choose between staying warm in the winter or cool in the summer and being able to make rent or put food on the table," said Bowman. "The Heating and Cooling Relief Act is the ambitious and comprehensive legislation we need to help ensure the health and safety of American families."Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors' Association ,"will be an end to the stubbornly high utility arrears and shutoffs that low income families have been struggling with for many years.
Establish a new Just Transition Grant for states and localities to help reduce energy burdens for LIHEAP-eligible households and promote renewable energy usage.