"AC Bill Struggles: Limited Federal Aid Leaves Millions in the Heat"

Millions of the poorest Americans are struggling to pay their air conditioning bills during heat waves, as federal aid reaches only a fraction of those in need. Climate change has led to soaring temperatures across the U.S., forcing vulnerable households to make difficult choices between cooling their homes or paying costly bills. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which subsidizes energy costs for low-income Americans, falls short in reaching those in need, with less than 3% receiving assistance for their summer bills. Many states do not offer assistance for summer months, and the program has been slow to adapt to climate change. President Joe Biden has increased the LIHEAP budget, but more substantial government intervention is needed to address the growing energy insecurity crisis.