[homeles_ot-l] Fwd: {ODSPAction} Article on Fuel Oil!

[Terrie]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mike Yale <theyales at surenet.net>
Date: Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Subject: {ODSPAction} Article on Fuel Oil!
To: odspaction at googlegroups.com
Cc: odspaction-announce+owner at googlegroups.com<odspaction-announce%2Bowner at googlegroups.com>




SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – Canada's governments must develop effective action
programs based on highest levels of energy efficiency to fight fuel poverty
and tackle climate change, NDP Poverty Critic Tony Martin warned today.

"We have a perfect storm heading this winter to vulnerable households
including seniors, low income, persons with disabilities home all day and
some rural areas – soaring fuel bills, utility bill inflation, energy
inefficient households and Canada's cold climate," Martin said.

"Fuel poverty means people spend a disproportionate amount of income to
adequately heat their household – which can easily happen in lower income,
energy inefficient households that still require certain amounts of heat.
Here is an opportunity to help the poor, help our environment and create
jobs for the economy all at the same time."

Martin is proposing one-time winter income subsidies and retrofit programs
for fuel-poor households to improve energy efficiency without leaving the
poor out in the cold.

"Fuel poverty needs to be an integral part of any anti-poverty strategy. We
can meet renewables targets without further harming those already
experiencing fuel poverty. Otherwise some people will face stark choices of
heating or eating this winter."

Martin cited local housing and energy examples of where federal and
provincial governments need to better co-ordinate strategies.

An excellent housing retrofit fund from the 2005 NDP-influenced federal
budget that saw 200 homes get $20,000 each to help reduce energy costs.

There has been no new federal money for housing announced since.

An emergency provincial fuel fund that the federal government could partner
with – it was $30,000 dollars but has been reduced to $17,000 with the
amount already spent for this year.

An energy audit program that does inspections in first half of year and
repairs in second half; the program needs more money and workers.

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-- 
Terrie ( mocharebyl at gmail.com )
"If you see an injustice being committed, you aren't an observer, you are a
participant." June Callwood
Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and
renders the present inaccessible. Maya Angelou
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