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PGW Awaits Vote On LIHEAP Funding

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - PGW says low-income Philadelphians could be in a heap of trouble if Congress okays President Obama's plan to slash LIHEAP funding.

Obama's new budget heading to Capitol Hill proposes a $2.5 billion cut to LIHEAP nationwide; that's the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program that helps many families pay their heating bills.

PGW spokesman Cameron Kline says if Congress goes along, it will hit hard in Philadelphia, where a quarter of the residents live in poverty.

"The proposal that's being debated right now calls for about a $2.5 billion reduction in LIHEAP funds," he said. "And that means the national pie is smaller, the state's pie is smaller, and that mean's Philadelphia's pie will be smaller."

For now, though it is just a proposal and Kline says PGW, like most utilities and groups that advocate for the poor, will be watching to see how Congress deals with Obama's plan.

Reported by Mike Dunn, KYW Newsradio

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