A deadlocked Congress has headed home, sans energy progress. Republicans blame Democrats for skedaddling, Democrats blame Republicans for trying to stick around to give more goodies to oil companies.

It’s dizzying.

Local governments are struggling too, but not for lack of trying. Auburn’s latest plan, for example, is the harvest of city-owned lots for cordwood, which is laudable, but late, unless Auburn trees can somehow season in weeks.

There isn’t enough local money for heating oil subsidies, either. Congress has billions, but its vacationing. The Low-Income Heating Assistance Program, by latest estimates, can offer $415 to each of the 50,000-plus Maine families that will receive the subsidy this winter.

At current prices for oil, a state LIHEAP official estimated these funds might only be enough for perhaps 10 days of heat, according to the Bangor Daily News. There are about 9,000 LIHEAP recipients funded in Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties, where winter lasts slightly longer than that.

People will need help. Congress cannot act quickly enough. Local, municipal governments lack means to deal with this measure of crisis. This leaves state government as the last hope for warmth this winter.

Of course, this is hyperbole. The state doesn’t actually heat homes. But Augusta has what its federal and municipal colleagues do not – the means and the chance to make a difference, before cold weather arrives.

Republican leaders in the Legislature have called for putting $10 million of surplus toward LIHEAP, in a one-day special session Aug. 20. The Senate is already scheduled to meet that day to consider gubernatorial appointments.

It’s an idea worth serious consideration. No other state is as dependent on heating oil as Maine and oil prices are highest in history. This fact alone will force the Legislature into action, one way or the other. It’s a matter of time.

We’d support a one-day special session if Republicans and Democrats agree to one condition: Avoid the partisan gridlock that sent Congress home. It’s an election year – agendas abound. Both parties must ditch theirs for the greater good.

This means focusing on tasks at hand, like LIHEAP, weatherization or low-interest loan programs, which the governor’s pre-emergency energy task force recommended. This doesn’t mean sneaky attempts to debate indexing the gas tax, or another flashpoint issue.

There’s work ahead. Congress is at the beach and municipalities are stuck on the sandbar.

State government alone is left with the means and opportunity – even if just for one day – to make a difference this winter.