Governor Announces Short-Term Engergy Plan

Governor John Baldacci recently announced a short-term energy plan which will include $12.6 million in new spending. The Governor said his energy action plan would make a special session of the Legislature unnecessary. The plan will earmark $4.25 million of state funds to go to the LIHEAP program. This money will increase the average household benefit from $415 to $500. The plan also creates a $3.25 million emergency fund in January that will help LIHEAP recipients and those who are slightly above the income level to participate in LIHEAP. The state's weatherization program will receive an additional $2 million, which will add nearly 500 additional homes. Other expenditures will go towards expanding and promoting public transportation, investments in furnace maintenance for LIHEAP recipients and loans for businesses for energy conservation projects. A newly created legislative panel has also been established and tasked with discussing what else the state can do to help Maine citizens having trouble staying warm this winter. The Presiding Officers' Heat and Energy Emergency Task Force is comprised of thirteen members of the Legislature and is slated to hold five meetings. By late November they are required to present their recommendations for action. Though home heating oil prices have receded in recent weeks from a high of close to $5 a gallon, prices are still significantly higher than last year. In October of 2007 the statewide average price was at $2.69 per gallon. This week the statewide average was $4.00. E-Newsletter from Representative Cotta, 8/22/08