Oct 6, 2005 By Josh Krysak 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – The Greene County Commissioners heard from Jeff Jameson of $1 Energy Fund Inc. about the grant program and how the county can benefit from the charitable service. Jameson explained the program to the commissioners during their agenda meeting Wednesday, outlining the guidelines for the utility assistance and discussing the need in relation to high-energy costs.

According to Jameson, the program, which began Monday and will continue through the end of Feb. 2006, area residents struggling to make payments for gas, electric and water services could be eligible for as much as $500 in assistance through the $1 program.

Jameson said all applicants must first apply for other assistance, including LIHEAP and CRISIS funds, before they are eligible for assistance through the Energy Fund and any residents wishing to receive grant money must also meet certain good faith stipulations including a minimum of $150 being paid toward their accounts during a 90-day period with senior citizens expected to have paid at least $100 on their delinquent account.

Additionally, Jameson said there are income guidelines regarding the assistance as well.

“According to the National Fuel Funds Network, the reality that this heating season will be one of the most costly in history has become a fact as opposed to speculation,” Cindy Datig, the fund’s executive director said Monday in a press release. “From the White House to Congress to state houses across the country, public officials are employing a variety of strategies to ease the burden on consumers.”

The program, which has been running for 21 years and is the third largest fuel fund in the country, is funded by the generosity of other utility customers in the region who have the option to donate $1 toward the fund when they pay their utility bill.

And, Jameson said, nearly all the local utility companies have agreed to cooperate with the program to further build the fund for residents needing assistance.

“I think this is a great program,” Commissioner Pam Snyder said. “People can get frustrated working with utility companies and this provides some help for those who need it.”

The commissioners also discussed the following business:

– Discussed contracting with Pictometry, a visual intelligence company, to help map the county for purposes in all departments, including emergencies, planning and development and assessment. The company uses digital oblique and orthogonal pictures to capture the county, essentially replacing outdated aerial photography. The program would cost the county $37,000 annually. The commissioners are expected to approve the contract today.

– Discussed selling 16 parcels of land at the old Nemacolin mine site.

– Held a one-minute assessment board meeting during which the board adopted new procedures for classifying certain properties as mandated by the state.

– Announced that Fayette Engineering has submitted an application to the state Department of Environmental Protection for the replacement of the Marilyn Detwiler Bridge that spans the South Fork of 10-Mile Creek.

The project would replace the two-span bridge with a single span structure due to the deterioration of the existing bridge.