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 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp