Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the release of an additional $20 million to help lower-income Marylanders pay high utility bills resulting from recent extreme winter weather. Working together, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), the Department of Human Resources (DHR) and the Public Service Commission (PSC) will administer the benefit. The $20 million in supplemental benefits will be made available to all income eligible households who apply for the Electric Universal Service Program in FY2014. “Families should not have to choose between staying warm and providing for their families,” said Governor O’Malley. “The efforts we are announcing today will help over 100,000 lower-income Marylanders stay warm and safe during this unusually cold winter.” Households who already have been approved for assistance as of July 1, 2013 will see the benefit automatically post to their account with no further action required by the customer. Applications are still being accepted for Marylanders who qualify for the program but have not yet applied. The supplemental benefit was made possible by a higher than anticipated award from the Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as well as an increase in proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). DHR is also providing additional […]
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