(Host) The heating crisis that looms this winter must be addressed through dozens of local and state initiatives.
That was the message today as legislative leaders and the Douglas Administration gave a status report on their plans.
The officials said the state can’t afford to write one big check to help low income Vermonters pay for fuel oil. Instead, they hope to get businesses, community groups and state government working together to help weather the financial storm.
VPR’s John Dillon has more:
(Dillon) With gas at $4 a gallon and the price of fuel oil double from last winter, Vermonters will spend about $925 million more this year on fuel than they did a year ago.
So the state is trying to help people save energy by making houses more energy efficient. Officials are working with banks on loan programs so people can buy fuel oil, and they’re developing wood harvesting operations on state land. These are among dozens of initiatives under discussion.
(Lunderville) "In the end, the most effective plan is going to be one that reaches out very broadly, pulls everybody together, harnessing the collective energy and passions that we have."
(Dillon) Neale Lunderville is taking over this summer as administration secretary, the official whose agency oversees the rest of state government.
Lunderville sat alongside the chairs of the legislature’s appropriations committees to underscore the bipartisan nature of the effort.
(Lunderville) "I think it’s significant that the legislature and the administration are sitting up here today… because it recognizes that all branches of government understand the importance of this issue."
(Dillon) But Lunderville says the state is not yet ready to dip into its budget reserves to help people pay their fuel bills.
This past weekend, Congress failed to boost funding for a low income energy assistance program. That could leave the program short this winter. But Lamoille Senator Susan Bartlett, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, agreed with Lunderville on not using state money to fill the hole.
(Bartlett) “This isn’t just about LIHEAP recipients, but the people that are over it but are really in just as serious a bind.”
(Dillon) Lunderville said the state has focused its efforts on people who are just above the poverty threshold, and don’t qualify for LIHEAP or state-funded weatherization programs.
(Lunderville) "And because the cost of fuel has really pushed the needs into higher income brackets, you’re seeing folks who previously might not have needed LIHEAP or weatherization help, now need it."
(Dillon) The ideas and new programs on the table will cost $3 million to $4 million. The state is working with the private sector as well. Bartlett said she’s talked with banks about extending low interest loans so people can fill their fuel tanks this winter.
(Bartlett) “We as the state may come up with some money and say here’s how we can buy down the interest on the loans.”
(Dillon) Banks are also working with fuel dealers to address a credit crisis they face in buying the product for the winter.
For VPR News, I’m John Dillon in Montpelier.