(Host) Governor Jim Douglas Thursday announced a new task force charged with making it easier for Vermonters to get help reducing fuel, transportation and food costs.
The governor said the move is an effort to consolidate and bolster the state’s existing resources at a time when Vermonters are faced with soaring prices.
In addition to creating an online clearinghouse for information on gas prices, carpooling and mass transit, beginning July 1st the state will launch a winter heating helpline. The helpline will direct people to a range of fuel assistance and energy efficiency programs.
Douglas announced that additional funds will be provided in the form of grants and loans to help low and middle income Vermonters weatherize their homes.
(Douglas) "There are many things happening all across the state already. The key is to provide access to resources on a comprehensive basis, to accelerate our pace of weatherization and other efforts and to devote some additional resources to get the job done."
(Host) Douglas says any steps the state can take to ease the burden of higher fuel costs are short term solutions to a problem that Congress will have to deal with.
In an indication that energy costs will be a major issue this election year, two of Douglas’ opponents quickly issued statements critical of his approach.
Democrat Gaye Symington called for an emergency meeting of the legislature’s joint fiscal committee to develop a plan to deal with high energy costs.
Symington says Vermont should look into working with other states to coordinate a large-scale purchase of heating fuels. She also proposed creating "energy banks" similar to food banks, and finding new ways to finance expanded weatherization and energy efficiency programs.
Symington says in making his announcement Douglas is calling for the kinds of measures he’s vetoed in the past.
That view was echoed by Progressive Party gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina who said toll free hotlines are not enough.
Pollina says if Congress doesn’t significantly increase funding for fuel assistance programs, the state should consider utilizing rainy day funds to help people with heating bills.