Iowans may face an expensive heating season ahead, as a report projects energy costs will rise an average of a little over eight percent this winter. Lorri Ferris leads the Iowa Community Action Association, which is made up of agencies across the state that oversee the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP. Ferris anticipates more requests for the federal supplemental aid this winter because of inflation and projected energy costs.
First round applications for certain households start next month and go through April. Ferris says this year’s LIHEAP funding still hasn’t been finalized.
The report on energy costs is being released by the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. The study says the eight-percent estimate in heating costs would be even higher without the warmer temperatures projected under the El Niño weather pattern.
