Pawlenty asks for more federal heating aid

Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Friday urged the federal government to speed up heating assistance for low-income households.

The program has already served 80,000 Minnesota households, a nearly 7 percent increase over the same time last year, according to the governor's office.

"Minnesota is experiencing strong demand for this critical program," Pawlenty said in a letter to the federal government's Office of Management and Budget.

Pawlenty said a continued slower flow of funds will result in a reduction in services, and he asked the department to free up the remaining money immediately. He said services will be reduced within two weeks if the money doesn't arrive.

The letter said the state received $58 million in November -- about 75 percent of the money expected to be set aside for it this year. Typically the federal government releases 90 percent of the funds at this point.

Even with full funding, Pawlenty said, the state risks running out of heat assistance in mid-February. He asked the federal government to release money from other emergency funds so the state can serve additional households.

PAT DOYLE