In a legislative move that turns up the heat on federal energy assistance, Arizona Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly have taken a stand with the introduction of the LIHEAP Parity Act of 2025, as reported by Gallego's Senate page. The bill seeks to recalibrate the distribution of funds under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), targeting a more equitable share for warmer states like Arizona, drawing attention to the disproportionate aid currently favored by colder states.
Under the existing LIHEAP framework, a meager percentage, below five percent, of eligible Arizona households received assistance in 2023, while states such as Michigan saw coverage for roughly 90 percent of their qualifying population. Gallego's recent legislation aims to abolish hold-harmless provisions dating back to the 1980s, which have thus far perpetuated the funding bias. Moreover, it mandates the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to transparently disclose heretofore the data inputs for the allocation formula and their respective update frequencies.
Voicing the arid state's plight, Senator Gallego stated, "No Arizonan should ever be forced to turn off their AC during a deadly summer heat wave simply because they can’t afford the electric bill," further emphasizing the historic injustice his state has faced in terms of federal energy assistance during its scorching summers. Senator Kelly echoed these sentiments, claiming Arizona families deserve equivalent support to combat hazardous temperatures, much like those facing severe cold.
Katie Hobbs, the Governor of Arizona, chimed in with her support for the legislative push, highlighting the state's inaugural Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan, which foregrounds Arizona's urgency for a revised LIHEAP formula to align with their hot weather hardships the LIHEAP Parity Act, in her view, representing a major leap toward securing the state's fair share of federal aid and enhancing the ability of families to maintain power and cooling in their homes. The call for reform has seen backing from corporate and community entities alike, with Dallas Dukes of Tucson Electric Power and Wildfire Executive Director Kelly McGowan publicly aligning with the proposed changes, citing the significance of accessibility to cooling and emergency bill assistance for residents facing severe summer temperatures.
Last month's unexpected termination of LIHEAP's federal administrators by HHS, highlighted by Senator Gallego, threatened Arizonans' access to crucial assistance as the hottest months loom; the move intensified the urgency within the state for an immediate response to these persistent and pressing inequities. The LIHEAP Parity Act of 2025, if enacted, promises to modify the allocation formula, ensuring funds reach households based on contemporary needs, scaling up Arizona's capacity to assist its residents during their most vulnerable times.
