Maria Cantwell: “Here in Snohomish County, which has the highest energy rates in the state, more than 14,000 customers have had their…”

“Here in Snohomish County, which has the highest energy rates in the state, more than 14,000 customers have had their electricity shut off for lack of payment this year--a 44 percent increase over 2001. They have seen electric rate increases of 50 percent, as the Snohomish County Public Utility District struggles to pay for long-term power contracts it signed with companies like Enron at the height of the price run-up. "It's a pretty tough thing trying to explain to your 5-year old kid why the lights won't come on anymore," said Crystal Faye of Everett. "I didn't pay much attention to all that stuff about California and Enron, but it's certainly come home to hurt us now." Ms. Faye and her husband, Rick, who are unemployed, have had their power shut off twice this year. Brianne Dorsey, a single mother, said she removed the baseboard heater in home and has had to rely on a small wood stove for heat, because she is $1,000 behind in paying her electric bills. Mr. President, this article details but two examples of the plight of far too many Washington state citizens--where an estimated 295,000 households were eligible for LIHEAP even before the Western energy crisis and economic downturn collided to exact such a devastating toll. In 2002, while the Bush administration sat idly by, some 80 percent of Washington State's eligible households received no LIHEAP assistance whatsoever.”