Whereas, Because of the shortage in the supply of heating oil and natural gas and the interruption in delivery caused by hurricanes in the Gulf Coast the cost to consumers for natural gas and heating oil will reach unprecedented levels. The cost of natural gas, alone, is now four times greater than in 2001; and
Whereas, This winter the average household will be confronted with annual gas bills of approximately $2000 severely taxing the budgets of senior citizens, low income families and many middle class households alike; and
Whereas, If the federal government, Commonwealth, City and individuals do nothing thousands of families will have no adequate heat this winter and next winter the problem will be even worse; and
Whereas, Experts do not foresee a drop in the cost of natural gas in the foreseeable future, as a result, individual households will have to shoulder much of the burden of the managing their costs through conservation, weatherization, and alternative fuel sources; and
Whereas, In order to address this crisis, the City must allocate additional resources towards aggressive conservation and weatherization and alternative fuel initiatives.
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
Section 1. The Director of Finance is hereby authorized to make the following transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2006 within the General Fund.
FROM:
2.41
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE - FRINGE BENEFITS
Personal Services - Employee Benefits
$
2,000,000
Total
$ 2,000,000
Total "FROM" Section
$
2,000,000
TO:
2.6
MAYOR - OFFICE OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Contributions, Indemnities and Taxes
$
2,000,000
Total
$ 2,000,000
Total "TO" Section
$
2,000,000
Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately.
End