This Wednesday, February 26, hundreds of energy assistance advocates are traveling to Washington, DC to participate in LIHEAP Action Day, the annual gathering of community leaders and advocates now hosted by the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC). In advance of this year’s activities we checked in with NEUAC Executive Director Katrina Metzler and Spire Energy Community Outreach Specialist Connie Sanchez to talk about why LIHEAP Action Day is such an important piece of the advocacy puzzle.
NEUAC Executive Director Katrina Metzler
Spire Energy Community Outreach Specialist Connie Sanchez
Below are excerpts from our conversations with Katrina and Connie. Be sure to follow @theNEUAC and #LIHEAPACTIONDAY to keep track of all of this week’s activities.
Katrina Metzler, Executive Director, NEUAC:
You spend a lot of time on Capitol Hill. Why do you think LIHEAP Action Day is so important from an advocacy perspective?
The Administration has proposed to eliminate LIHEAP funding entirely every year since President Trump took office. That isn’t a surprise, anymore – we understand LIHEAP isn’t a priority for the President. That’s all the more reason it is absolutely imperative to impress upon our representatives in Congress, who ultimately control the budget, how important it is to continue funding LIHEAP.
Each person who attends brings a unique voice to this effort and can describe what a future without LIHEAP would mean in their state or district. Each advocate has a story, how LIHEAP protected their neighbors during the polar vortex of 2017 when 21 people died because of extreme temperatures, or how LIHEAP repaired and replaced furnaces after a tornado swept through a mobile home park, decimating homes and destroying everything in its path.
The most basic reason for advocacy is this: if not you, who? We each have a responsibility to our customers, clients, and communities to impart the information and experience we have with LIHEAP and share all the many ways it improves life for our friends and neighbors.
What is different this year that people should know about?
LIHEAP has been proposed for reauthorization as part of the Clean Future bill, proposed by the Energy and Commerce Democrats. The last time LIHEAP was authorized was by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which was enacted on August 8, 2005. It expired on September 30, 2007, so this has been a long time coming.
What do you tell people who hesitate to travel to Washington?
I would tell them that we need people like them to come to DC and act as a conduit between policymakers and the families who receive assistance through LIHEAP. Our representatives know that people are hurting, but they don’t always understand the effect of LIHEAP on family stability or health and safety. We need advocates to deliver that message.
How does LIHEAP Action Day catalyze a spirit of community among LIHEAP supporters?
There is something to gain by meeting other people in your state or region who do what you do, and care about ensuring access to utility services for everyone, especially those most vulnerable to heat and cold. People learn from each other at Action Day. We learn together how to talk about anti-poverty programs, the most effective way to deliver a message, how to drive home a point with facts, data, stories. It’s a time away from the task-driven lives we lead back home when we can pause and think proactively about creating a better program, better communities, and ultimately a better world.
What are the best web links or social feeds to follow for those unable to attend in person?
@theNEUAC will be tweeting throughout the day and retweeting our partners. We are your one-stop-shop for all things #LIHEAPAction Day related.
What else do you want our audience to know about Action Day?
Each year, at least one or two LIHEAP recipients makes it in person to Action Day to tell their story. That, for me, is the most powerful part of the event. The courage and resilience demonstrated by these folks inspires me to keep fighting for the program, and I know it inspires others as well. It is not easy to talk about a time in your life when you were vulnerable, a time you had to humble yourself to ask for help. I applaud them for having the courage to share their truth, and the gift they give back to a program that has been there for them and their families.
Connie Sanchez, Community Outreach Specialist, Spire Energy, St Louis, MO
How many times have you participated in LIHEAP Action Day?
This is my third year participating, but Spire has been participating for nearly 20 years.
It takes time and money to travel to Washington DC - why do you think LIHEAP Action Day is so important from an advocacy perspective?
Spire has been working with LIHEAP agencies for years. LIHEAP helps people meet basic needs to live safely and comfortably in their homes. It supports the most vulnerable populations, those with limited income and resources. This includes households with seniors, disabled individuals or young children.
We participate in LIHEAP Action Day every year because we care. People should never have to choose between buying groceries and paying their utility bills. No one should have to live in a cold house. Children should never have to do their homework in the dark.
By participating in LIHEAP Action Day, we are a voice for the customers who are unable to share their stories, or their need, with members of Congress. We make sure our elected officials know these people are more than just a number.
Is there anything different about this year that you are excited or concerned about?
This is the fourth year the president has proposed to eliminate LIHEAP. Because we know the need for this program, we are concerned. Eliminating the program would devastate hundreds of thousands of families across the nation. In Missouri alone, LIHEAP assists more than 100,000 households. Without this assistance, these families may be forced to live in dangerous conditions.
That’s why we must be present in Washington D.C. on LIHEAP Action Day. We must advocate for the continuation of this critical resource.
What do you tell people who hesitate to travel to Washington or visit Capitol Hill?
If you are able to attend, please participate in LIHEAP Action Day. It is impactful and effectively educates our members of congress about LIHEAP, who the programs serves and why it’s so important. Your advocacy can make a difference. This past year, despite the president proposing to eliminate LIHEAP, members of Congress increased funding for the program.
Still, the need continues to grow. Under current funding, LIHEAP can only assist 1 out of every 5 families that qualify for LIHEAP. We are asking our members of Congress to not only protect the existence of LIHEAP, but to also increase funding so we can serve every family that qualifies.
How does LIHEAP Action Day catalyze a spirit of community among LIHEAP supporters?
It’s a great opportunity to meet with non-profits and utilities who support the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC) and LIHEAP. We share ideas, best practices and program information to help our customers in need.
Is there anything else you would like me to include in the blog?
Even if you aren’t in Washington D.C., you can still support LIHEAP Programs by contacting your members of Congress, signing the All Parties letter in support of LIHEAP, sharing or creating NEUAC’s social media posts.