"Given the record high price of home heating fuel, far too many New Yorkers will have to choose between heating their homes throughout the long months of ice and snow and bitter cold that are coming and feeding their families. We cannot wait until the crisis is upon us before we act," said Cahill.

The Assembly Committee on Energy has been conducting a series of news conferences across the state focusing on addressing the expected home heating crisis New Yorkers will face this winter.

Earlier this year, the Assembly Majority advanced a proposal which will effectively and meaningfully help New Yorkers combat the rising costs of home heating through enhancements of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and energy conservation measures.

"At a time when our economy is in a decline and New York is facing serious economic challenges, Shell and Exxon Mobil recorded a 2008 second quarter profit of nearly $12 billion each and Chevron and every other Big Oil Company enjoyed another quarter of record profits," said Cahill.

The Assembly Majority called for action out of concern for the New Yorkers who do not have the resources to heat their homes this winter.

"Many New Yorkers are expected to struggle this winter with the high cost of home heating oil," said Cahill. "The Assembly Majority has developed and passed a plan to provide an additional $550 million to enhance the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and $250 million for energy conservation measures and home energy efficient programs. Our plan will help more families to qualify for much needed assistance. We don't want anyone in our state to have to choose between heating and eating."

In anticipation of a crisis, the Assembly developed and approved a responsible plan (A11590) in June to include:

• $550 million to enhance the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), effectively doubling what is available to eligible recipients and expanding the program to include middle income New Yorkers. This would increase the size of the regular HEAP grant and raising the income eligibility level to 80 percent of median family income from the current 60 percent. For example, under this proposal, a family of four would be eligible for HEAP assistance if household income was up to $55,500, instead of the current $41,600.
• $250 million for energy conservation measures, including weatherization and home energy efficient programs.

• A two percent gross receipts tax on large oil companies, which are currently experiencing a huge growth in revenues.
• A retroactive measure to recapture windfall profits dating back to 2005 when the sales tax on gasoline was capped at two dollars.
• Prohibiting oil companies from passing along the additional costs to consumers through increases in prices.

Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari said, "Over the past year, New Yorkers have seen home heating costs increase by more than 75%. We in the Assembly majority recognize the severity of this problem and have developed a comprehensive plan to combat it. Speaker Silver and Energy Committee Chair Kevin Cahill have demonstrated true leadership in addressing this critical issue which will impact millions of New Yorkers this winter. I applaud them and echo their message today that the time to act is now."

Assemblyman Jack McEneny said, "As all New Yorkers struggle with record-high home energy costs, the Assembly has designed a plan to help those in need. We can now extend the eligibility requirements and provide assistance to more families to ensure that necessary needs are met, not cut. During this economic downturn, we are committed to making sure our residents are not struggling to survive.

Assemblyman Bob Reilly said, "Recent quarterly financial reports unambiguously demonstrate that current profits of oil companies are unreasonable and some would say obscene. Many New Yorkers face a personal financial crisis this winter when increases in heating fuel some on top of the already increased costs of gasoline, food, and many other oil dependent products. The Assembly's plan to help New Yorkers in this time of crisis is simply what good government must be about."

"It is abundantly clear that New Yorkers will be facing a crisis this winter - how will we be able to afford to heat our homes?" said Assemblyman Tim Gordon (I/D/WFP - Bethlehem). "The Assembly proposal would almost double existing HEAP grants and expand income eligibility to help more working families. This plan needs to be in place immediately so that families, particularly children and seniors, are not left out in the cold this winter."

"Older New Yorkers spend a higher percentage of their household budget on their energy costs and face some of the most serious consequences of rising energy prices," said Lois Aronstein, AARP New York State Director. "Legislation to expand HEAP will help many low-income older New Yorkers who risk their health and comfort by cutting back on energy expenditures or reducing spending for other basic necessities."

"No New Yorkers should have to face the possibility of freezing in their homes this winter. The enormous increase in heating costs could lead to terrible suffering for hundreds of thousands of New York families. It's a huge problem. And it's government's job to solve it," said. Blair Horner, NYPIRG's legislative director. "The Assembly package not only offers financial help, but it helps fund weatherization programs that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York State. It's a 'win-win' proposal and the Governor and Senate should embrace it."

Gerald Norlander, Executive Director of the Public Utility Law Project, said "Utility shutoffs are on the rise, and households that use oil for heating and hot water cannot afford to fill their tanks. Last winter's emergencies were only postponed for many households who were eligible for federal HEAP assistance. Utility service is being shut off for families unable to pay arrears, creating unsafe conditions and enormous hardship for working families struggling to make ends meet. The situation will only worsen this winter when households will face much higher energy bills than last year. Legislative action is needed to address the growing energy burdens.

"The demand for emergency food is already pushing food pantries and soup kitchens to their limits," noted Mark Dunlea, Executive Director of Hunger Action Network. "Rising food costs is shrinking the food budgets both for low-income New Yorkers and the emergency food programs that help them. The skyrocketing costs for heat will overwhelm the budget of many families this winter, forcing them to choose between going cold or going hungry. Action is needed now to respond to this growing crisis."

The NYC Coalition Against Hunger recently reported that the number of meals served by City-supported soup kitchens and food pantries was nine percent higher in spring of 2008 than a year before. This was based on data from the City's Human Resources Administration. Dunlea noted that the skyrocketing cost of energy and food appear to be long term trends rather than merely a short term crisis.

Additional news conferences calling attention to the home heating fuel crisis are being held in Syracuse, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Yonkers, Central Islip and Kingston.