Thursday, Jan.19, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Signs Utilicare Supplemental to Help Those in Need with Heating Bills
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today signed House Bill 1015 making state funding available to help low-income and elderly Missourians with winter heating bills.
"I commend the Missouri General Assembly for answering my call and quickly passing this emergency supplemental bill," Blunt said. "I am pleased that Missouri’s Utilicare program will receive needed resources for the first time since 2001."
The Senate passed House Bill 1015 by 32 to 0. Last week the House overwhelmingly passed the bill 150 to 0.
Blunt has taken a number of actions to help ease the rising costs of utilities leading up to the passage of House Bill 1015. The governor negotiated an agreement between his office, the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Missouri Energy Development Association to waive reconnection fees and suspend deposit requirements for low-income utility consumers. He also supported the PSC’s request to amend the Cold Weather Rules to provide customers with more lenient reconnection terms, prohibit late fees and suspend deposit requirements for qualified customers.
The Missouri Utilicare program was established in 1979 to help Missourians with winter utility costs but has not received any funding since 2001.
###