When fuel prices began to rise, most people didn’t really notice.  When they finally did notice that the prices were continuing to rise and not coming down, they thought that there would be a solution before things got too bad.  When they started getting bad, folks hoped they would not get out of control, but they didn’t start to panic.

Well, things are as close as they can be to being out of control, and though people are not totally panicking, they are fearful and worried.  One of the areas of the country that is extremely worried is the East Coast, as well as other areas of the country that rely on fuel to provide heat in the freezing cold of winter.

In an effort to deal with these worries, local, county and state officials gathered with the United Way in Bath, Maine to determine emergency plans for the cold weather of winter in advance.  The Governor’s office, along with other offices, officials and organizations, described the programs that are available or will be available to homes during the coming winter, and any other emergency provisions are being considered. 

One of the most important issues that the gathering was trying to deal with the process of identifying individuals and households that will need extra assistance because they have extremely low income.  Not only is it important to find these households to get them assistance, but also to provide them with any information available regarding programs that are available to help them in addition to energy assistance.

The fact that officials on the East Coast are working to procure assistance for people months in advance of the winter/snow is heartening.  After all, there are things that individuals can do to winterize and weatherize their homes while the weather is still good.  Working on these issues in advance also gives people plenty of time to be able to do any work necessary to prepare.

Hopefully, wherever you live, if there are extremely cold winters, the same types of information, assistance and preparation will be available.  If you need information contact your local energy or utilities office well in advance of the onset of cold weather.

Last year was a cold winter in some areas of the country.  There are, of course, the normal areas of cold throughout the United States, but, as we know, many of the colds have gotten colder and the warms have gotten warmer due to weather changes, but we won’t even go there.

The problem with the extreme cold in winter is that it takes more fuel – especially heating oil – to keep people and their homes warm enough to get through.  Last year, as we said, was quite cold, and people paid a lot for fuel to heat their homes.  This year is predicted to be worse – not because it will necessarily take a larger amount of fuel, but because the fuel has gotten so much more expensive.

As it is, people have to choose between necessities like prescriptions and other necessities like fuel.  Individuals that are considered working poor, families that are barely getting by, and even families that are living on a slim margin are in for a tremendous shock this winter.  It is estimated, for example, that the average family in Maine will have to pay $4,000 to $4,500 this winter to keep warm.

This is a lot of money for families that have little money to spare.  Part of the problem is that many of these families living on limited funds make just enough money so that they cannot qualify for heat assistance, leaving them to face a cold, harsh winter.

There are some ideas on the table such as having individuals with extra trees or fallen trees cut them and give families cords of wood to help offset the lack of oil for heat.  Of course, that will only work for homes with fireplaces.  An alternative is using space or room heaters – especially the sealed ones that have oil inside and use less energy than fan, forced air or other types of room heaters.  This can help keep areas of the house warm, but will also use more electric power, costing homeowners to pay more money in power bills, but maybe not as much as the cost of fuel. 

It is critical that during the coming months before extreme cold weather arrives, some sort of solutions are created – at leat so that people will not be left in the freezing cold for the winter.  With some creative thinking and some financial assistance and supplements more families will stay warmer – or at least, not be freezing – and get through the coming winter months.