U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, today urged the Office of Management and Budget to release $120 million in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance, according to her office.

In a letter to Director Jim Nussle, Snowe said the money should be sent out now to help people get ready for the upcoming heating season.

"Time is of the essence to release this emergency LIHEAP funding," Snowe said in a statement. "As the winter season approaches ominously, it is absolutely critical that Mainers receive this funding and federal resources are maximized. I will continue to do all that I can to make sure that this vital funding reaches the Maine families who need it most."

LIHEAP is a federal block grant program that provides states with annual funding to operate home energy assistance programs for low-income households. In addition to helping to pay energy bills for low-income families and the elderly, LIHEAP helps to fund energy crisis intervention programs, low-cost residential weatherization and other energy-related home repairs.