Trump Targets Air-Conditioning and Heating Funds for Low-Income Households

image via New Scientist

May 5, 2025, 4:15 PM

The Trump administration proposed eliminating the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides funds for home heating and cooling, in its 2026 fiscal budget. The administration argues that "energy dominance" policies make subsidizing electricity costs unnecessary, despite LIHEAP's critical role in helping low-income families adapt to extreme heat. This move, if approved by Congress, would affect around 6 million Americans who rely on the program, particularly during the summer. Critics like Maine Senator Susan Collins and the National Energy Assistance Directors Association have voiced concerns, emphasizing the importance of affordable home energy for health and safety.

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