WASHINGTON – Congressman Harold Ford today called on administration officials to release $48 million in emergency funding for those most vulnerable to the effects of the heat wave facing the country, at the same time asking Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton and Memphis Light, Gas & Water President Joseph Lee to suspend service cut-offs for those most at risk to devastating temperatures."The elderly, handicapped, children and those who have chronic illnesses are often the first to suffer as a result of the heat," Ford said. "Immediate action will save lives.
"First, I’ve asked the Department of Health and Human Services to release $48 million in emergency funds. Second, I’ve asked Mayor Herenton and President Lee to defer cutting service to our most vulnerable people until at least August 15 when these funds have had a chance to help meet the gap in energy bills."
Today, the National Weather Service posted excessive heat warnings throughout the country, in Tennessee and other southern states, throughout the west, the mid-Atlantic and the mid-west. In the past week, the temperature in west Tennessee has exceeded 90E for eight consecutive days; the heat index is topping 100E.
Ford’s letter to MLGW President Joseph Lee, Mayor Willie Herenton and his letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt follow.
July 26, 2005
Mr. Joseph Lee, III The Honorable Willie Herenton
President and CEO Mayor
Memphis Light Gas & Water City of Memphis
220 South Main Street 125 N. Main Street, Room 700
Memphis, TN 38103 Memphis, TN 38103
Dear Mr. Lee and Mayor Herenton:
As our region continues to experience high summer temperatures, I am writing to ask that the City of Memphis and Memphis Light Gas & Water (MLGW) defer cutoffs of service for non-payment until at least August 15, 2005 by your customers who are most at risk for health related problems as a result of excessive heat.
As you know, in the past week, the temperature in our region has exceeded 90E for eight consecutive days; the heat index is topping 100E. It is my understanding that MLGW plans to end the deferral of cutoffs when the heat index falls below 100E. I urge you to reconsider this decision.
The elderly, handicapped, children and those who have chronic illnesses are often the first to suffer from various ailments as a result of the heat, including heat exhaustion, cramps or heat stroke. Deferring their cutoffs will avoid unnecessary health problems and deaths as a result of the heat. Although the coming days may result in some relief, the National Weather Service has posted urgent excessive heat warnings and the average temperatures are expected to go beyond 90E throughout the month of August.
To assist the people of Tennessee and the city of Memphis with the challenges presented by this extreme summer weather, I have asked President Bush and Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt to release the remaining $48 million in emergency Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) immediately, rather than waiting until the September 30, 2005 deadline. To date, the Administration has released $250 million in (LIHEAP) emergency contingency funding, $2,569,569 of which has been allocated to Tennessee. I have enclosed a copy of my letter to Secretary Leavitt.
Thank you for working with me to protect your customers and our constituents from the difficult and sometimes deadly conditions presented by this summer’s extreme weather. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Harold Ford, Jr.
July 26, 2005
The Honorable Mike Leavitt
Secretary U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20201
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I am writing to urge the Department of Health and Human Services to immediately release the remaining $48 million available in emergency contingency funding from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) so that states and localities can provide badly needed assistance to those who are most at risk for health related problems or death as a result of extreme temperatures.
As you are no doubt aware, much of the country is experiencing a devastating heat wave. Today, the National Weather Service posted excessive heat warnings throughout the country, in Tennessee and other southern states, throughout the west, the mid-Atlantic and the mid-west. In the past week, the temperature in west Tennessee has exceeded 90E for eight consecutive days; the heat index is topping 100E.
The elderly, handicapped, children and those who have chronic illnesses are often the first to suffer from various ailments as a result of the heat, including heat exhaustion, cramps or heat stroke. According to published reports, the heat has resulted in at least 35 deaths in Missouri, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Phoenix and elsewhere.
Although temperatures will temporarily decline in portions of the south and mid-west in the next few days, temperatures typically top 90E, while the heat index surpasses 100E in the month of August.
I applaud you and the Administration for allocating $250 million in LIHEAP in this fiscal year and understand that the remaining $48 million in emergency funding will revert to the U.S. Treasury if it is not allocated before September 30, 2005. Providing this funding now, will give states and local governments additional resources to provide energy assistance to those who are most susceptible to the dangers of this heat wave.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Harold Ford, Jr.
