WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President George Bush has directed the release of $120 million from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program fund to help states prepare for the upcoming winter, members of Maine's congressional delegation announced today.

Maine will get $7,026,268 for home heating assistance from the program, also known as LIHEAP, Republican Sens. Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins and Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Allen said in statements this morning.

"This announcement is certainly welcome news for families across Maine who face the upcoming winter with fear and uncertainty," Snowe said in a statement. "The current economic crisis and the volatility of energy prices are forcing Americans to choose between basic necessities, like feeding their families or heating their homes."

Collins said she was working to get additional fuel-oil funding to help needy families.

"This coming (winter) will bring a sharp increase in applications for LIHEAP assistance, but many of those requests will be turned down due a shortage of funds," said Collins.

Allen said he was working with other members of Congress to expand funding, and the group has called for appropriation of an additional $1 billion for the LIHEAP Weatherization Program to make it possible for more families to improve home energy efficiency and reduce their fuel needs.