Donations to Help Families Pay High Heating Bills
By GINNIE GRAHAM World Staff Writer
The $1.9 million comes from Tulsa-area natural gas companies and foundations.
Homes should be warmer with a $1.9 million donation from several Tulsa-area natural gas companies and foundations to help families pay for a sharp rise in heating bills.
The fundraising effort was led by George Kaiser of Kaiser- Francis Oil Co. and Jim Adelson of Nadel and Gussman Energy. Both are trustees of the Tulsa Community Foundation, which made the donation possible.
Oklahoma Natural Gas bills skyrocketed in January, mostly due to significant jumps in the cost of natural gas.
“One element for this is that the high energy prices have helped natural gas companies create jobs and strengthen the economy,” said Tulsa Community Foundation Executive Director Phil Lakin.
“But the high energy prices have also caused negative ramifications for low-income people and all citizens of Oklahoma and across the country. Because the energy companies have reaped some profits, it has become incumbent upon them to give back to those who need it most right now.”
This month, ONG is charging $12.01 per dekatherm, up from $7.55 for the same month last year. A dekatherm is equal to 1 million British thermal units, or 1,000 cubic feet.
The typical ONG customer received a January bill about 62 percent higher than last year, according to the utility’s estimates.
The companies and foundations are giving between $25,000 and $1 million for nonprofit agencies and Tulsa-area residents. The total donation is $1.875 million.
Contributors include the George Kaiser Family Foundation, Samson Investment Co., Nadel and Gussman Energy, St. Mary Land and Exploration Co., Unit Corp., Vintage Petroleum Inc. and Helmerich & Payne Inc.
Williams made a contribution directly to The Salvation Army’s energy assistance program.
About $200,000 of the donation from the Kaiser foundation will be given to the Oklahoma Weatherization Program operated by the state Department of Commerce. The program helps low-income families conserve energy by insulating around doors, windows, walls and ceilings.
The Kaiser foundation donation will be used to winterize homes in the Tulsa area.
“Low-income Tulsans are struggling with high heating bills this winter, despite the mild weather, because of the high price of fuel,” Kaiser said in a press release.
“We hope that these contributions will help ease that burden now through direct assistance and for summers and winters to come, through home weatherization.”
The state added $5 million into the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program administered by the state Department of Human Services.
Other energy assistance program have been bolstered by donations from various companies. The Oklahoma Energy Resources Board donated $1 million to the Weatherization Program to help about 1,300 homes. Currently, about 800 people are on the weatherization program’s waiting list.
People needing assistance need to call 211 for services. The 211 number is a help line for social services. If using a cellular phone, call 836-HELP (4357).
Ginnie Graham 581-8376
ginnie.graham@tulsaworld.com