Legislators to meet in anticipation of heating crisis

In anticipation of a freezing winter a few months away, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) called on legislators today to convene for an emergency meeting of the Joint Fiscal Committee aimed at reducing the effects of a potential home heating crisis.

The bi-partisan meeting will include state senators and representatives, and according to a statement, Symington, the House speaker, will direct the committee to invite Gov. Jim Douglas, Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, in addition to independent experts throughout the state of Vermont.

"Vermonters will start turning up the thermostat in just four or five months," said Symington in a statement released this afternoon. "While no one can say for sure that prices will continue to rise, the responsible course is to prepare for a crisis and place our energy policies on an emergency footing. We cannot afford to take a small-scale approach."

The House Speaker issued the statement a few hours after Dubie declared a home-heating fuel emergency, according to the Times Argus.

State Sen. Susan Bartlett (D-Hyde Park), who chairs the Joint Fiscal Committee, and state Rep. Michael Obuchowski (D-Rockingham), vice chair of the committee, both supported Symington's action and are confident they can create an effective plan in time for winter.

Symington has proposed a set of concepts to be discussed in the meeting, including bulk purchasing of fuel on a regional basis, making sure the best technology is available for Vermont homeowners, storing energy, increasing funding for Vermonters who wish to "weatherize" their homes, as well as launching a campaign to increase federal heating assistance.