MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) _ Experts say a welcome combination of low prices and expected warmer weather are producing a more favorable outlook for the federal heating assistance program than has been seen in years.
Heading into winter, Congress has already made its appropriation for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and officials in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine know what they are going to be receiving.
Vermont's fuel assistance chief, Richard Moffi, says he can't remember a year when things are looking as favorable as they are this year. He says the number of people seeking assistance in the state is expected to drop by about 400.
Vermont is expected to receive about $17.2 million in federal LIHEAP funds; Maine about $37.8 million and New Hampshire more than $23 million.