McHugh Leads House Efforts to Help New Yorkers with Home Heating Costs This Winter

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Washington, D.C. – Congressman John M. McHugh (R-Pierrepont Manor) today led a bipartisan group of 15 legislators by sending a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) urging that House leaders act on his bill, H.R. 6321, the Home Energy Affordability Tax Relief (HEATR) Act of 2008.  Congressman McHugh is asking House leaders to include the HEATR Act in an upcoming piece of legislation to provide cost relief to Americans.

“Rising home heating costs have the potential to have a significantly negative impact on consumers this winter.   For many Americans, including my constituents, the expected increase in prices is simply unaffordable.  We must take action now, not once the heating season is already underway,” said Congressman McHugh.  “I strongly urge House leaders to consider passing my legislation – the HEATR Act – and similar proposals that would provide consumers cost relief with their heating bills this winter.  Additionally, we need to begin to take action now to increase American energy supply so that, in the long-term, Americans have affordable energy resources with which to heat their homes, power their vehicles, and live their lives.”

Conservative estimates show that many households in the United States will be paying at least $600 more for their home heating costs this winter, an increase which is exacerbated when coupled with the already high cost of gasoline across the country.  In areas such as the 23rd District of New York, families do not have the option of choosing whether or not to turn on the heat during the long winter months.

Congressman McHugh introduced the HEATR Act in June to assist residents with their home heating costs this winter.  The legislation would provide up to a $500 tax credit for individuals and families facing more than $1500 in home heating costs during the winter season, with a maximum of one credit per housing unit.  For homeowners and renters with home heating expenses below $1500, the bill would provide one-third of the total cost of heating in a tax credit.  Individual tax filers making under $50,000 would be eligible for the credit as well as joint filers making under $100,000.  Above those income levels, the credit would phase out at $60,000 and $110,000 respectively.  Additionally, the credit can only be used for fuel costs, which include propane, heating oil, kerosene, wood, and wood pellets, among others.

Congressman McHugh has also urged leaders in Congress in recent weeks to consider an expansive energy package that couples short-term price relief, like the HEATR Act, with a broad, long-term plan to increase domestic energy supply across the board.  The Congressman strongly supports increasing American energy supply by lifting legislative restrictions on exploring American energy, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), and shale oil in the Western part of the United States.

Signing the letter to House leaders with Congressman McHugh were Representatives James Walsh (R-NY), Timothy Bishop (D-NY), Robert Brady (D-PA), Peter King (R-NY), Tim Holden (D-PA), Randy Kuhl (R-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Phil English (R-PA), John Hall (D-NY), Christopher Shays (R-CT), James McGovern (D-MA), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Steve Kagen (D-WI), and Roscoe Bartlett (D-MD).

Text of Letter

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Republican Leader Boehner:

We are deeply concerned about the impact that continually increasing energy prices will likely have upon millions of Americans this winter.  Specifically, we write to respectfully request that you include H.R. 6321, the Home Energy Affordability Tax Relief (HEATR) Act of 2008, in the final version of H.R. 3221, any future economic stimulus package, or another appropriate legislative vehicle.

As the heating season is not far off, paying for home heating will be a tremendous burden upon millions of Americans.  In fact, conservative estimates show that households will have to pay at least $600 more for heating costs this winter.  This expected increase is complicated by the tremendous growth in the cost of gasoline and the fact that many of these households are located in rural and economically depressed areas of the nation, where a lack of ready access to public transportation has already had a disproportionally high impact on budgets.  Very simply, particularly in the Northern and Western regions of our nation, turning on the heat during the long winter months is not an option.

Accordingly, we firmly believe that Congress must act now, and that H.R. 6321 affords an appropriate vehicle.  The HEATR Act would provide a $500 tax credit for individuals and families who spend more than $1,500 on home heating costs during the winter season; those who spend below $1,500 would receive a credit equal to one third of their heating costs.  The HEATR Act would apply to both homeowners and renters, providing relief for consumers across the board.  Individual tax filers making under $50,000 would be eligible for the credit as well as joint filers making under $100,000; only one credit would be allowed per housing unit.  Above those income levels, the credit would phase out at $60,000 and $110,000 respectively.  Eligible heating fuels include, but are not limited to, electricity, natural gas, propane, heating oil, kerosene, wood, and wood pellets.

We appreciate your consideration of this request and stand ready to assist in your efforts to move this important legislation by providing any further information.

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