NEW HAMPSHIRE FUEL FUND
- Five of the six electric utilities and both of the gas utilities participate
in Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a statewide fuel fund that is administered by community
action agencies in coordination with LIHEAP. The fund operates year round and is a fund of
"last resort," serving households after LIHEAP funds are exhausted. The fund totaled $190,119 in 2002.
In 1994, New Hampshire passed legislation allowing utilities to place unclaimed
utility deposits into the fuel fund. The measure allows the public utilities commission to
certify that utilities are participating in a financial assistance
program that assists low-income households with utility bills. Upon certification, the
utility pays 85 percent of the
unclaimed funds into the fuel fund program, which is also certified by the commission.
- One electric utility runs a separate program called Project Care which distributed
approximately $36,000 to customers in 2002.
LEVERAGING (includes community and church donations)
2002: $349,798
2001: $500,410
2000: $225,044
1999: $278,869
1998: $193,224
1997: $151,527
1996: $208,235
1995: $178,398