Governor John Baldacci is leaning on Maine’s congressional delegation to secure additional funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. And on the state level, Maine State Housing, which administers LIHEAP, has negotiated deals to make the money go further, even as the Public Utilities Commission has donated $400,000 to help with weatherization and efficiency programs. And if there’s an oil shortage, or if prices become out of reach, the governor said he’s prepared to call on a new task force that will make sure Mainers are protected with shelters and other services. The governor also released plans to deal with rising gas prices including; “Free Fare Fridays” on municipal buses, starting the Friday after Thanksgiving and continuing for six weeks, encouraging state workers and private employees to do more telecommuting to cut down on actual commuting, bringing fuel treated with ethanol to Maine. Until recently it cost more than regular gas, but that is no longer the case.

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