Oklahoma State Senate considers energy relief bill

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City),  May 11, 2005  by Ann Davis

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Since the 1970's the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program has helped pay the high cost of energy for people in need.

This program has helped 85,000 to 90,000 people but unfortunately that is only 40 percent of those that need help, said state Rep. Ron Peters, R-Tulsa.

However, there may be help coming because of Senate Bill 720, sponsored by Peters. The bill would create the Helping Oklahomans Pay for Energy, or HOPE, Task Force to review the design and administration of the program and to make recommendations for improvement.

The task force will be comprised of 11 members, six appointed by the governor, one appointed by the Senate president pro tempore and one appointed by the speaker of the House. The director of the Department of Human Services, the executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the head of the Corporation Commission also would serve on the panel.

Startup cash would come by taking 1 percent of the uncommitted gross production tax that would have gone to the General Revenue Fund. Peters said there shouldn't be any adverse effect, but said he was concerned about President Bush cutting an estimated $219 million dollars from the federal energy budget.

The measure could provide relief for those in need as they prepare for the hot summer months.

The bill is awaiting action on the Senate floor.

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