I’m glad you found this article now that it is appearing under the Maine Veterans in Need (MVN) logo. 

This week I want to address the rising cost of utilities. We are now heading full steam into winter. The furnaces are coming on, the electric heaters coming out of storage, and, of course, we are checking the fuelor propane tank to make sure itis topped off to get through the beginning of the heating season.  If the tankisn’tfull, we call our local supplier, and that is when we get the first sticker shock. 

We already know what we are paying for electricity, but are we prepared for what may happen to electricity supply rates for 2027? These rates are being determined this month. 

The increase in heating oil is easier to see. Maine’s statewide average price went from about $4.50 a gallon in late June to approximately $6.00 a gallon by September 21. At $6 a gallon, filling a 275-gallon oil tank would cost about $1,650. Propane is considerably less expensive per gallon, but it too will be significantly more than it was lastwinter. 

For our friends and neighbors who are retired and/or living on a fixed income, this can create a real problem. They may have a budget that has allowed them to pay their bills, if barely, but those numbers will change quickly when winter arrives. 

There are government programs available to help. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)provides assistance with heating costs. Applications are made through Maine’s Community Action Agencies, a process that takes time. A quick internet search will tell you which agency serves your area.  But,and it is a big “BUT,” LIHEAP generally covers only a portion of what a household needs; and, they typically run out before the end of the winter. 

That means we also have to count on the private sector and nonprofit organizations to help fill the gap. The good news is there are organizations around the state raising money specifically for heating assistance. The difficult part is that most have limited resources. 

For veterans, there are several programs available. To name just two, the Elks in Augusta have an arrangement with Fielding Oil to assist veterans in their service area, and the Maine Veterans Project provides assistance in the greater Bangor area. 

There is also the Veterans Emergency Financial Assistance Program (VEFAP), administered by Easterseals Maine. Eligible veterans can use VEFAP assistance for emergencies, including heating expenses, but is $2,000 per veteran per year. 

I know this paints a bleak picture. But it is reality. Nothing that happens in November is likely to change the basic economics of this winter.  So, if we want to help our neighbors, and especially those who are living on the margin, consider donating to the charities and nonprofit organizations in your community that are helping people stay warm. 

It is the least we can do.