| September 4, 2008 Winter energy task force looks to avert crisis
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(John Moroney, NECN) - The high price of heating oil and energy in general could make for a disastrous winter, Especially for those families struggling to pay their bills.
LIZ: "Every year we think this going to be the worst year ... Just because of the price of energy."
The state's winter energy costs task force met Thursday in Fall River, Massachusetts with members of social service organizations from the region.
They're all looking to avert a crisis. The average cost of a gallon of heating oil in Massachusetts is now around four dollars a gallon ... And money for assistance is very tight.
BRUCE: As of right now, what we have for a draft benefit level is 560 dollars, which is less than half of what we had at the end of last year. 560 dollars will buy you about 140 gallons of heating oil right now."
The bulk of the funding for fuel assistance comes from Washington as a result all of the governors in New England have asked the federal government to set aside a billion dollars for this winter, which is about four times the current budget.
ANN: "I think realistically we have to admit ... for low income people."
It may be limited ... But assistance will be available starting November first ... And people should still apply for help if they're eligible.
FIESTA: "Households earning up to 200 percent of poverty guidelines are eligible, which in context is 41-thousand dollars for a family of four."
The task force will
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