佛蒙特州取暖油涨至每加仑约6美元：紧急委员会周五表决低收入取暖援助追加款
随着取暖季临近，佛蒙特州州长 Phil Scott 与州议会领袖正在协商一份紧急取暖援助方案，帮助依赖联邦低收入家庭能源援助计划（LIHEAP）的约1.5万名佛蒙特居民。州紧急委员会预计本周五（10月23日）开会表决追加援助，用于今冬的低收入家庭取暖补贴，资金可能动用州储备。
背景是取暖油价格大幅上升：2号取暖油目前约为每加仑6美元，较去年同期上涨近60%。东南部佛蒙特社区行动组织执行主任 Josh Davis 说，气温下降后，居民陆续开启取暖系统并开始求助，今年的价格与去年相比高得惊人。Scott 此前已在10月7日于 Rutland 举行的记者会上支持一项两党合作、增加州级取暖援助资金的努力。
参照上一个冬季，全州有14872户家庭获得 LIHEAP 补贴，户均1210美元，约覆盖取暖费的45%。联邦层面的援助金额基本没有增长，而燃料成本持续攀升，是州政府考虑动用州级资金补足缺口的主要原因。最终金额与发放方式仍待紧急委员会周五表决后确认。
Vermont Heating Oil Near $6 a Gallon as Emergency Board Weighs Low-Income Heating Aid Package
As the heating season approaches, Vermont Governor Phil Scott and legislative leaders are negotiating an emergency heating assistance package for the roughly 15,000 Vermonters who rely on the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The state Emergency Board is expected to vote on the supplemental aid on Friday, October 23, potentially drawing on state reserves.
The backdrop is a sharp rise in fuel prices: No. 2 heating oil now costs about $6 a gallon, up nearly 60% from a year ago. Josh Davis, executive director of Southeastern Vermont Community Action, said that as temperatures drop, residents are firing up their heating systems and seeking help, and this year's prices are strikingly higher than last year's. Scott voiced support on October 7 at a Rutland press conference for a bipartisan effort to add state heating assistance funds.
Last winter, 14,872 Vermont households received LIHEAP benefits averaging $1,210, covering roughly 45% of heating costs. Federal aid has been essentially flat while fuel costs climb, which is why the state is considering filling the gap with its own money. The final amount and distribution method await Friday's Emergency Board vote.
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图片来源：图：佛蒙特州议会大厦（Montpelier）。摄影：Harrison Keely，CC BY 4.0（Wikimedia Commons）。Photo: the Vermont State House in Montpelier. Photo by Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
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