UPDATED 6 p.m. with comments from Josh Tardy 

Video: Baldacci's remarks

[img_assist|nid=2205|title=Talking energy|desc=Gov. John Baldacci discusses energy solutions at a press conference Aug. 15.|link=none|align=left|width=425|height=319]Gov. John Baldacci unveiled an energy plan that he says makes a special session of the Legislature unnecessary.

Maine House and Senate Republicans have repeatedly called for a special session, arguing that the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds would not stretch through December. Democrats had argued that they did, and a special session was unnecessary.

“I have consulted with our experts on fuel assistance, energy and human services, and we are able to take significant action without an expensive and uncertain special session,” Baldacci said. “If that changes, I will use the full powers of the Executive Branch to address any emergency.”

The Department of Administrative and Financial Services is also initiating a pilot program that will allow state employees to either telecommute or work four-day weeks.

“The pilot program will evaluate the effectiveness of alternative scheduling for state workers as an energy reduction measure,” Baldacci said. “The program is voluntary and open to other interested agencies.”

Baldacci’s plan will cost $12.6 million, using funds from MaineHousing’s fund for future quarters. Reimbursing this money will be a top priority in January for the Legislature, Baldacci said.

The reimbursement will either come from other programs or the state’s Budget Stabilization Fund, also known as the rainy day fund.

-$4.25 million will increase the LIHEAP benefit from $415 to $500 for eligible households

-$3.25 million will go into an emergency fund for families in the case of a fuel emergency

-$2 million to expand the weatherization by about 500 homes, which can save them about 20 percent in fuel costs.

-$1 million for furnace cleaning, tune up and repair in LIHEAP eligible homes

-Reserves $1 million of funding for the Economic Recovery Loan Program at the Finance Authority of Maine for energy conservation projects for businesses.

-In the Department of Transportation, reappropriates $1.01 million for the GoMaine program, Free Fare Fridays and Park and Ride lots.

-$75,000 for energy saving recommendations and program contact information for low-income households

Baldacci also has established a phone service, 211, as a single point of contact for energy issues. The Department of Health and Human Services has also been approved to increase food stamp benefits for LIHEAP eligible families.

Senate Republican leader Carol Weston (R-Montville) said she was not aware that Baldacci was announcing his plan today until the last minute.

There were no Republican legislators in the room, however the communications directors for both the House Minority and Senate Minority offices were there.

When reached on her cell phone, Weston said she had only heard bits and pieces of Baldacci’s plan. She said that Maine was setting a bad example by borrowing money from future projects to deal with the crisis. Instead, she said, the state should use its rainy day fund.

“It’s like a payday loan,” she said. “We’re borrowing against the future.”

Also, she said, $500 per household will probably not be enough to make it through December.

She said she still would like to see a special legislative session to give the public confidence that the Legislature can solve the problem in a bipartisan fashion.

House Republican Leader Josh Tardy (R-Newport) said he was also disappointed that Baldacci did not want to hold a special session.

He also hasn’t seen the specifics of the plan, however the proposed money for LIHEAP won’t be enough for struggling families.

“It buys about two weeks,” Tardy said. “We shouldn’t wait until the thermostat hits 32 degrees before we take action.”