Sierrans:

FYI. Energy continues to be a major issue on Iowans minds, highlighted
especially in recent days by the articles about projected price spikes for
natural gas. Obviously, the Governor is concerned about that one!

Lyle

------ Forwarded Message
From: Governor Tom Vilsack <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: Governor Tom Vilsack <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2003 10:58:45 -0500
To: "Mailings from the Iowa Governor's Office" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: FW: Vilsack Urges Iowans to Conserve Energy, Prepare for Higher
Natural Gas Prices

For Immediate Release                    For More
Information:
Tuesday, August 5, 2003                Amanda Crumley or Matt Paul
(515) 281-0173

Vilsack Urges Iowans to Conserve Energy, Prepare for Higher Natural Gas
Prices

DES MOINES - Today Governor Tom Vilsack toured an energy-efficient model
home in West Des Moines, where he urged Iowans to make their homes more
energy efficient in preparation for the possibility of high natural gas
prices expected this winter.  The Governor also announced that Energy
Conservation will be the official theme for the Governor's Booth at the Iowa
State Fair.

"The government has a responsibility to help people deal with this issue, so
that all Iowans, especially low-income Iowans and seniors on fixed incomes,
can have the security of being able to afford their heating costs.  There
are many opportunities to address this issue, especially through
Congressional action, and through the assistance of Iowa's utilities.  Even
though it is still August, it is not too early to start taking steps to meet
our responsibility to conserve energy," Governor Vilsack said.

"The Iowa Utilities Board has warned that natural gas prices could possibly
increase by 100 percent or more, and Iowans who rely on natural gas to heat
their homes need to act now to save energy and money this winter." There are
many factors contributing to higher natural gas prices; the primary cause is
less natural gas production and supply combined with increased demand.  That
can be traced back to colder-than-normal temperatures last February, which
resulted in record-low storage levels at the end of spring.

Iowans can save energy and money by making their homes more energy
efficient.  Many resources are available to help minimize the impact of
higher natural gas prices.  The Iowa Utilities Board has a comprehensive
list of web sites that provide energy efficiency plans, programs, and
information, available at:

<http://www.state.ia.us/government/com/util/ee.html>

"High heating costs affect all of us, but there is disproportionate impact
of price increases on low-income customers," the Governor said.  "The Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Program deserves strong Federal support and I
have asked Iowa's congressional delegation to do all they can to fully fund
the service."

Last year, 78,000 low-income households in Iowa received federal LIHEAP
assistance, out of an estimated 200,000 households that would have been
eligible for LIHEAP.

"All investor-owned utilities provide programs to supplement the
Weatherization Assistance Program operated by community action agencies and
supported by federal weatherization funds.  The Iowa Utilities Board has
directed all investor-owned utilities to double their funding for the
low-income weatherization programs prior to the 2003-2004 winter heating
season."

"I have also spoken personally with leaders of Iowa's major investor-owned
utilities and asked them help us prepare for higher natural gas prices by
using special purchase options of natural gas now to help the chances that
costs will go down.  I would also like to call upon local contractors in
Iowa to be sensitive to this issue, and be ready to do the weatherization
work that people will need to make their homes more energy efficient."

Information will also be available at the Governor's Booth at the Varied
Industries Building of the Iowa State Fair.  The booth will be open from 9
a.m. to 9 p.m. every day of the Fair, beginning Thursday, August 7.

###
------ End of Forwarded Message


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