AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci is considering calling lawmakers into a special session to provide additional funds for the Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program.
“If I can wait until the first week in January to make the appropriation, I will wait and save the cost of a special session,” Baldacci said. “But once we make the assessment, and we determine we need the money before January, I will consult with legislative leaders and request they come in before the January session.”
The governor said his staff is working to assess the number of claims being made for assistance under the program. He said he expects to know by the end of next week whether the demand will exhaust the federal funds currently available for the program.
More Mainers are expected to request aid this season than last heating season, which is one factor that concerns the governor. The program will need another $10.5 million to buy the same amount of home heating oil it did last season.
Maine’s LIHEAP program served 46,450 families in 2004 compared to 45,000 families the previous year. The fuel assistance benefit averaged $478 in 2004 compared to $440 in 2003. Emergency fuel benefits were extended in 2004 to 4,475 people under the program and averaged $232 per household. The average household income for the LIHEAP participants in 2004 was $12,062.
The governor said some money has been contributed toward the goal of $5 million to help pay the energy bills of poor Mainers this season. He said he hopes fund raising will improve after public service announcements are broadcast later this month. He announced the charitable fund last month.
House Speaker John Richardson, D-Brunswick, said he has “lost faith” in the ability of Congress to provide the help Mainers need. He said Congress has had several proposals to provide additional aid and all have been defeated.
“I do think it’s right for him to consider looking at a special session to address the high, rising costs of heating oil in Maine,” Richardson said. “I think we need to send a signal and a message to the people of Maine that we are responding to this crisis.”
If state funds are needed, the governor will have bipartisan support in calling a special session. Sen. Carol Weston, R-Montville, the assistant Senate GOP leader, said lawmakers hope there is additional federal funds, but support the need for using state funds if necessary.
“If we know that program is going to be out of money before we meet in January, I would support coming into emergency session to deal with the issue,” she said.
Baldacci said he will propose an omnibus energy bill in the January session to deal with the long-range issues of conservation to reduce future need for oil and other energy sources.
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