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Heating and Cooling Relief Act

USA117th CongressS-3535| Senate 
| Updated: 1/31/2022
Edward J. Markey

Edward J. Markey

Democratic Senator

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (5)
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Heating and Cooling Relief Act This bill provides additional energy assistance to households, including heating and cooling assistance. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2031 and revises the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Under the existing program, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may award grants to states for assisting low-income households that pay a high proportion of their income for home energy. To be eligible under the existing program, households must have incomes which do not exceed the greater of an amount equal to 150% of the poverty level for their state or an amount equal to 60% of the state median income. The bill expands eligibility to households with incomes which do not exceed the greater of an amount equal to 250% of the poverty line as defined in the Community Services Block Grant Act or an amount equal to 80% of the state median income. In addition, the bill expands eligibility to households with a monthly energy burden of 3% or more per year. It also requires states to establish procedures to protect households receiving assistance under the program from energy shutoffs and certain late fees. In addition, the bill requires HHS and the Department of Energy to jointly carry out a program that awards grants to states and local governments for developing and implementing interagency plans to reduce energy burdens for eligible households with high home energy use. The plans must promote the reduction of energy from fossil fuels.
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Timeline
Jan 21, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-6437
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
Jan 31, 2022
Introduced in Senate
Jan 31, 2022
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  • January 21, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-6437
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.


  • January 31, 2022
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 31, 2022
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Energy

Related Bills

  • HR 117-6437: Heating and Cooling Relief Act
Air qualityAlternative and renewable resourcesAtmospheric science and weatherClimate change and greenhouse gasesCoalCongressional oversightDisaster relief and insuranceEmergency medical services and trauma careEnergy assistance for the poor and agedEnergy efficiency and conservationEnergy pricesGovernment information and archivesInfectious and parasitic diseasesLighting, heating, coolingOil and gasPublic utilities and utility ratesResidential rehabilitation and home repair

Heating and Cooling Relief Act

USA117th CongressS-3535| Senate 
| Updated: 1/31/2022
Heating and Cooling Relief Act This bill provides additional energy assistance to households, including heating and cooling assistance. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2031 and revises the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Under the existing program, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may award grants to states for assisting low-income households that pay a high proportion of their income for home energy. To be eligible under the existing program, households must have incomes which do not exceed the greater of an amount equal to 150% of the poverty level for their state or an amount equal to 60% of the state median income. The bill expands eligibility to households with incomes which do not exceed the greater of an amount equal to 250% of the poverty line as defined in the Community Services Block Grant Act or an amount equal to 80% of the state median income. In addition, the bill expands eligibility to households with a monthly energy burden of 3% or more per year. It also requires states to establish procedures to protect households receiving assistance under the program from energy shutoffs and certain late fees. In addition, the bill requires HHS and the Department of Energy to jointly carry out a program that awards grants to states and local governments for developing and implementing interagency plans to reduce energy burdens for eligible households with high home energy use. The plans must promote the reduction of energy from fossil fuels.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 21, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-6437
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
Jan 31, 2022
Introduced in Senate
Jan 31, 2022
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  • January 21, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-6437
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.


  • January 31, 2022
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 31, 2022
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Edward J. Markey

Edward J. Markey

Democratic Senator

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (5)
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Energy

Related Bills

  • HR 117-6437: Heating and Cooling Relief Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Air qualityAlternative and renewable resourcesAtmospheric science and weatherClimate change and greenhouse gasesCoalCongressional oversightDisaster relief and insuranceEmergency medical services and trauma careEnergy assistance for the poor and agedEnergy efficiency and conservationEnergy pricesGovernment information and archivesInfectious and parasitic diseasesLighting, heating, coolingOil and gasPublic utilities and utility ratesResidential rehabilitation and home repair