The U.S Energy Administration this week predicted Midwesterners could enjoy utility bills as much as 38 percent lower than last winter. While that sounds good, the man who oversees a low income heating assistance program believes the numbers are flawed.
Jerry McKim co-ordinates LIHEAP, the low income heating energy assistance program which is a federal program run by the state. McKim says as many as 16,oo0 Iowa households were disconnected as of the first of November. He says " these households are scattered and hidden from view. If 16 thousand people were without power in one town like Waukee or Altoona, the media would be scrambling to cover the story and the governor would declare an emergency."
Families struggling to pay their heating bills can get more information atwww.dcaa.iowa.gov/bureau_EA .
or call McKim at 515-281-0859.
