AUGUSTA (AP) – Maine homeowners and small-business owners who cut back on their kilowatts may become eligible for rebates on energy-efficient appliances, Gov. John Baldacci said Monday as he announced a new energy conservation program.

The Save-a-Watt 10 Percent Challenge was launched following warnings from state officials and ISO New England, which operates the region’s bulk power system and wholesale electricity markets, of the possibility of tight natural gas supplies and power shortages this winter.

Baldacci said the region can avoid electricity disruptions through energy conservation, and the Save-a-Watt program is one way to do it.

“It is a partnership of Maine’s regulators and electricity suppliers that give Maine people the power to help ourselves, help others, and do a small part for the environment by simply turning out the lights,” Baldacci said.

What Baldacci described as a unique incentive program will be open to customers of Central Maine Power and Bangor Hydro-Electric companies, which are located within the New England Power Pool control area.

Customers whose electric bills for January, February or March show 10 percent or larger reductions compared to the same months a year earlier will be automatically entered into a random drawing to be one of 50 Mainers to receive $1,000 toward the purchase of an Energy Star appliance.

Energy Star is the federal government’s designation for the most energy-efficient appliances.

Winners will be drawn weekly from early January through the end of March, Baldacci said. The program is co-sponsored by the state Public Utilities Commission and Constellation Energy, a standard offer supplier.

If all of the eligible customers reduced their power consumption by 10 percent, they would cut a collective $18 million from their electric bills while lowering power demand and generate 83,000 fewer tons of greenhouse gas emissions, said the governor.

Baldacci’s announcement came as energy supplies remain a top priority when the Legislature returns to the State House in January.

An appropriation of $5 million for fuel assistance for the needy will be the first order of business when the Legislature reconvenes, according to the governor, who has also launched a charitable fuel fund aimed at raising $5 million from corporate and foundation donors.

The administration has also been talking to officials from Venezuela about the possibility of exporting heating oil at discounted prices for use by low-income Maine residents. The oil-rich country has negotiated such a deal with Massachusetts.

Baldacci aide Richard Davies said Monday that discussions are continuing with an energy minister in Venezuela’s U.S. embassy. Baldacci, who is not directly involved in discussions, said he expects further developments later this week and that he remains open “to companies and countries that want to help.”