WILTON – A grim forecast for oil prices for the next heating season has a local group working to reduce consumption.

Anticipating heating oil prices at $5 a gallon, emergency help for low-income families will be needed, but there’s also a need to look at the larger picture of energy and conservation, said Irv Faunce of Western Maine Community Action.

“Just giving money for fuel every year is a Band-Aid to the problem,” said Tanya Swain of the Western Mountains Alliance on Friday.

Faunce and Swain are members of a network formed this spring to look at energy issues and possible long-term solutions for Franklin County households.

The Western Mountain Energy Project that includes energy related experts, bankers, pastors and oil fund donors.

Assistance runs short

With fuel assistance through programs such the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Keep ME-Warm and emergency funding created by area churches, a total of $1.4 million was spent on fuel assistance in Franklin County this heating season. The programs were stretched, and often ran short.

A $10,000 grant from the Sandy River Charitable Foundation helped supplement heating assistance, but donors wanted to take a long-term view of the problem, said the Rev. Susan Crane.

“They wanted to give money to help people through a crisis, but were also concerned for those whose income is above LIHEAP,” Faunce said.

Many people whose income exceeds the federal guidelines for help come in for help because they can’t afford the increased expenses, Swain said.

The concerns were brought to the Rev. Scott Planting, who then approached the CAP.

The group was formed to “put their heads together” and eliminate some of the problems of how much oil gets used, Crane said.

Winterizing

Focusing on what can be done in the next few months, a plan was made to provide five energy audits for households that were denied LIHEAP funding. Workshops will be held at the homes and other low-income homeowners will be invited for a walk-through audit report showing cost-effective energy uses, how to winterize, costs to make improvements and how just a few small changes can make a difference, Faunce said.

Plans are being made to audit the homes in June and develop an energy plan for each. Workshops will be held by the end of July to give participants time to make some improvements before winter.

Plans also include providing a $1,200 forgiveness loan for improvements, Faunce said. Repayments will be based on improvements made and the owner’s time in the home. Western Maine Community Action also has low-interest revolving loans available for audits and weatherization.

“A small amount of money invested in the home can bring a big payback quickly,” Faunce said.