Janet Mills urges action on heating assistance as Maine braces for cold
Maine Governor Urges More Federal Funds for Heating Assistance as Oil Prices Hit Record
In a letter sent to the nation’s congressional delegation on Friday, Gov. Janet Mills called for additional federal funding for the Low‑Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The governor said the request is essential to keep Maine residents safe and warm amid a surge in heating‑oil costs that have reached historic highs.
Mills wrote that the state’s $40 million in LIHEAP assistance, typically disbursed in late November, is insufficient for this winter. “Federal funding levels appropriated for LIHEAP this winter did not fully consider the drastic impacts of the president’s war that has sent fuel prices skyrocketing and are now insufficient for the circumstances that Maine and other cold‑climate states now face,” she noted. She added that Maine is “the state most reliant on heating oil,” and that without a boost the program could leave low‑income households without enough support to stay warm.
The governor’s appeal comes after the Department of Energy Resources reported that the average price for a gallon of heating oil in Maine hit $6.02 last week – the highest in the state’s history. Prices have eased slightly to $5.96 per gallon this week, but remain above the 2022 record of $5.92. The spike follows the continued constriction of the Strait of Hormuz, which has historically carried about a quarter of global oil shipments. The U.S. and other nations have linked the tightened waterway to the ongoing conflict in Iran, a situation the governor described as a “needless war” dragged on by the president.
“Maine people should not be forced to choose between staying warm and putting food on the table because the president chose to drag the country into a needless war,” Mills wrote. The letter urges Maine residents to apply for LIHEAP as soon as possible. Application guidelines and income limits are posted on the MaineHousing website, which the governor cited as the go‑to source for assistance information.
Maine’s low‑income households are already feeling the strain. The LIHEAP program, which helps families with heating expenses, is set to distribute funds this late November, but the current allotment may fall short given the price surge. The governor’s request is aimed at increasing the budget so more households can receive timely support.
While the governor’s letter focuses on state‑level assistance, federal officials are also taking action. The Group of Seven (G7) announced Friday that it plans to release 100 million barrels of crude oil and fuel products in the coming weeks. The release will start with “substantial” amounts of diesel, a commodity that has also seen record prices in the United States. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average for a gallon of diesel was $6.37 on Friday, after reaching $6.52 on September 22. In Maine, diesel prices averaged $6.47.
Sen. Susan Collins (R‑ME) welcomed the G7 announcement. “The release should put immediate downward pressure on energy prices and help lower the cost of producing and transporting goods,” Collins said. The senator’s support comes as the U.S. gas market has seen steep price increases, with diesel and gasoline both impacted by the eight‑month war in the Middle East. The conflict has fueled volatility in the global energy market, contributing to higher costs for consumers across the country.
For many Maine households, the cost of heating is a year‑long burden. With winter temperatures that routinely dip below freezing, the price of heating oil has a direct impact on living expenses. The governor’s letter underscores that while federal programs can help, the current funding levels are not keeping pace with the reality of the market.
The letter also highlights the broader economic impact of the war. “The president’s war has sent fuel prices skyrocketing,” Mills said, “and the state is now facing circumstances that require additional federal assistance.” The governor’s criticism of the president’s foreign policy is part of a broader discussion among policymakers about how international conflicts ripple into local economies.
In the meantime, residents are encouraged to act quickly. Applications for LIHEAP open now, and the state’s Department of Energy Resources and MaineHousing are offering guidance on how to apply. Low‑income households can also explore other assistance programs, such as the federal Weatherization Assistance Program, which can help reduce heating bills by improving home insulation.
As the G7 release of oil and diesel begins, economists expect a short‑term easing of prices. However, analysts caution that the effect may be limited if the underlying geopolitical tensions persist. For Maine, the immediate concern remains the winter’s heating costs and how quickly additional federal aid can be secured.
The governor’s letter is a direct appeal to Congress. “I am writing to request that you consider increasing the LIHEAP funding for Maine this winter,” Mills said. “The safety and comfort of our residents depend on it.”
Mills’ letter arrives at a time when many states are grappling with similar issues. The combination of a global supply chain squeeze, regional conflicts, and a cold season has made heating costs a priority for lawmakers across the country. The federal response, whether through program funding or market interventions like the G7 release, will shape how well Maine and other cold‑climate states can weather this year’s energy challenges.
