Congress creates Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) to counter oil embargo heating crisis

President Carter signs the Crude Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act (P.L. 96-223), which creates the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) as a direct response to the 1970s oil embargo energy crises. The law authorizes $1.6 billion to be split between the Community Services Administration and HHS. LIEAP introduces direct energy assistance payments to vulnerable households, shifting policy from emergency weatherization toward ongoing bill support for the poor, elderly, and disabled.