MONTPELIER, Vt. -
The snow on the Vermont statehouse lawn is a reminder winter is still here and people still need heat to keep warm.
But for some, help might run out.
"Unfortunately the emergency crisis fuel oil supply has run dry, it will be out of money by Friday," said Governor Peter Shumlin.
Governor Shumlin announced Wednesday he wants to put $900,000 dollars into the program to keep it going through March.
"The obvious question is, where are you going to get the money?" said Shumlin.
Since Shumlin brought it up, we asked him.
"Where are we going to get that money?" said FOX44/ABC22.
"We're confident that we can find $900,000 dollars within our budget," said Shumlin.
But specifically where, he wouldn't tell me.
To make sure this doesn't happen again, the democrat says changes are needed.
Shumlin wants to see gas bought in bulk, make low income homes more energy efficient, study the program's viability, re-evaluate eligibility requirements and make sure the amount of fuel people get makes sense.
Because of federal cuts Vermont taxpayers have had to pay millions of dollars in the LIHEAP program and if this new proposal goes through that means taxpayers here would spend nearly $10 million dollars this year on LIHEAP.
Although it's a lot of money from a state strapped for cash, Shumlin says this is something lawmakers need to keep going.
"Regardless of party affiliation we're not going to let Vermonters freeze in their homes in the winter," said Shumlin.
Shumlin says one good thing this year about the heating program is less people have relied on the crisis fund.
He credits that to more money given up front earlier in the year to help get people through the cold months.
