Washington DC - The nation's Community Action Agencies welcomed today's news from Washington that more funds are on the way to help low- and moderate-income Americans pay their rising energy bills.

President Bush released $450 million from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) contingency fund, which Community Action Agencies across the country will deliver to energy consumers in their communities.

David Bradley, executive director of the National Community Action Foundation, which represents the nation's 1,100 Community Action Agencies in Washington, called the increment a "good down-payment on the ballooning debt Americans owe energy suppliers."

"Community Action Agencies all across the nation are struggling to help millions of energy consumers whose wages or pensions are not adequate to keep their homes warm and safe," Bradley said. "We are grateful to the bipartisan group of Senate and House leaders that has carried our case to the President. However, far more help is needed."

According to Bradley, 37 million low- and moderate-income households need more than $62 billion to keep their heat and lights on this year. That is money not used to buy food, medicine and other necessities.

With this boost, the 2008 LIHEAP grows to only 78 percent of its fiscal year 2006 level. Meanwhile, winter's energy bills are predicted to be 5 percent higher than 2006.

"We are still $728 million short of the 2006 level, and at least $760 million is needed just to match the amount of fuel we could supply two years ago," Bradley explained. "Even then, only 16 percent of eligible households got help at that time. Community Action Agencies report that this year they are getting applications from families that have never before asked for help."

National Community Action Foundation is supporting passage of Independent Vermont Sen. Bernard Sanders' Keeping Americans Warm Act, Senate Bill 2405, to provide $800 million or more in emergency energy appropriations.