The People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH) continued the “Turn Up the Heat” campaign at its Monthly Member Moment on March 24, encouraging West Side residents to sign a petition letter aimed at lowering heating bills in low-income households.
PUSH, located at 271 Grant St., needs to reach a goal of 1,000 signed letters by West Side residents for the campaign to succeed.
Buffalo has some of the highest heating bills in America, with low-income homes getting less than 30 percent of National Fuel Gas Co.’s Conservation Incentive Program aid, said Brenda Miller, PUSH member.
Buffalo’s poorest residents make tough decisions that force them to make a choice between heating and daily needs, said Whitney Yax, PUSH member. PUSH would like National Fuel Gas Co. CEO David Smith to put an end to that choice.
“We know what we want, where we live,” Yax said.
Smith, however, refuses to talk to PUSH about the ways the company can lower heating bills in low income homes, said Jennifer Mecozzi, a member of PUSH.
PUSH members are also selling tickets for a fundraising dinner to help defray the costs of a trip to Washington, D.C. with National People’s Action from May 19 to May 21. The dinner will be held on April 27 at 6 p.m.
PUSH hopes more West Side residents will turn out this year, said Lonnie Barlow, PUSH member.
Anyone interested in going should contact PUSH at 884-0356. The trip is $150.
By Mackenzie Clarke, Stephanie Delaunay and Cheri St. Croix
