State delays its share of Operation Fuel funding

Operation Fuel, an energy-assistance program of last resort, is pleading for $4.75 million in delayed state funding, but the state won't say when the money is coming or how much of it will be made available.

Operation Fuel Executive Director Patricia Wrice hit the public airwaves Tuesday, announcing that $4.75 million from the state Office of Policy and Management budgeted in October for low-income households has not been released. That prevents the agency from taking applications for aid before Jan. 4, and could leave some people without heat as winter approaches, Wrice said.

Jeffrey Beckham, OPM's undersecretary for legislative affairs, could not say whether the $4.75 million, typically in place so people could apply for assistance by Dec. 1, would be forthcoming by January, and if so, how much.

"We know they render a valuable service," Beckham said, referring to Operation Fuel, "but we believe the heating assistance for the vulnerable population is generously and robustly funded (through a separate program), and we don't expect there to be any problems. … If there's a problem, we take action."

This year, the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program, a federally funded program administered under strict guidelines by the state, has $103 million available for the winter season, Beckham said. Last year, he said, a combination of federal and state funds provided $141 million for that program.

Even with that program in place, Wrice countered Wednesday, Operation Fuel used $5.9 million in funds last year to serve 13,412 additional households, clearly pointing to a need that may go at least partly unfilled this year. That $5.9 million constituted a combination of state funds and donations from other sources.

"There are clearly people they don't help, that don't qualify for that program," Wrice said, referring to the CEAP.

Vicki Anderson, executive director of the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, and other energy-assistance advocates reached in Groton, New London and Norwich, said Wednesday the need for the services Operation Fuel provides is becoming acute as more layoffs occur and the economic recovery lags.

"This (funding) not being available Dec. 1 is very concerning, I can't even overstate it," Anderson said. "And the fact it will start in January and that's a maybe - we don't have the funds to make up for Operation Fuel not being available Dec. 1. So the great concern is that we would be turning people away."

Marjorie Fondulas, director of human services for the town of Groton, ticked off a number of additional "pots of money" the town has available, but noted that those cover other needs as well, such as medical or housing expenses.

"I think there will be a huge gap if Operation Fuel is not funded by the state because it is one of the safety net programs we depend on for our clients when other sources have dried up or people have used up their allotment. There's only so much people can get" through CEAP, she said.

Beckham also noted that Operation Fuel has multiple sources of donations, but Wrice said the bulk of its funding has come from the state in the past two years.

Since July 1, Operation Fuel has raised less than $300,000 in donations, she said. Her Board of Directors has authorized the use of another $350,000 of a $1 million surplus, she added.

p.daddona@theday.com