Gov. John Baldacci along with three other New England governors, assembled in Boston today to discuss energy issues at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, according to the governor's office. Govs. John Lynch of New Hampshire and Donald Carcieri of Rhode Island also attended the summit hosted by Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts.

"Hard working families and businesses across the New England states are struggling under the rising cost of energy," Baldacci said in a statement. "This summit was an important step in mapping out the short- and long-term strategies we can take together to provide needed relief to our residents and businesses."

At the conference, the governors decided to send a letter seeking increased federal support for energy programs to members of the New England Congressional Delegation, congressional leaders, the president and the presumptive presidential nominees. They also agreed that coordinating energy issues with the Eastern Canadian Provinces was critical to the future of New England energy.

Baldacci is also attending the National Governors Association annual meeting this weekend, at which the national energy crisis will surely be a key point of discussion.