AUGUSTA (AP) – Gov. John Baldacci said Thursday legislative leaders have agreed to make the appropriation of $5 million for fuel assistance for the needy the first order of business when the Legislature reconvenes in January.

Baldacci’s late afternoon announcement closes the door to the idea of a pre-Christmas special session of the Legislature, which had been under discussion in recent days.

The governor expressed confidence that recent rounds of talks with and among lawmakers all but guarantees that House and Senate majorities of two-thirds will be realized when a fund-raising measure is brought up shortly after New Year’s.

Such super majorities would be needed to enact emergency legislation that could take effect immediately.

Baldacci said a simultaneous goal remains raising another $5 million through charitable donations.

“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to get this agreement,” Baldacci told reporters during an impromptu news conference in his State House office.

Baldacci has met with civic, community and religious leaders to discuss raising money and coordinating relief efforts. The administration also anticipates participation by utility companies around Maine.

State lawmakers have been seconding efforts by Maine’s congressional delegation to seek more federal funding for fuel assistance.

Officials say close to 50,000 households could benefit this season from a Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Baldacci said the Maine State Housing Authority and community action programs around the state would be gearing up to handle additional aid funding.

The federal government began assisting low-income families with home heating costs in 1974, when an OPEC embargo was driving up energy prices. The Health and Human Services Department began the current heating aid program in 1982.

Last year, states provided 4 million households with such assistance.

The U.S. Energy Department forecast last month that winter heating bills will be a third to a half higher for most families across the country, with the sharpest increases expected for those who heat with natural gas.

The department said natural gas users can expect to pay an average of $350 more during the upcoming winter compared to last year, an increase of 48 percent. Those who heat their homes with fuel oil will pay $378 more, or 32 percent higher than last winter.