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Introduced Session

An Act to Establish the Winter Energy Relief Payment Program to Aid Residents with High Heating Costs and to Finalize the COVID Pandemic Relief Payment Program Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and Whereas, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a nationwide emergency pursuant to Section 501(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and, on April 4, 2020, the President of the United States approved a major disaster declaration for the State of Maine for periods beginning on January 20, 2020 and continuing; and Whereas, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national emergency concerning the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic pursuant to Sections 201 and 301 of the National Emergencies Act and, on February 18, 2022, the President of the United States continued the national emergency pursuant to Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act; and Whereas, on January 31, 2020, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services determined that a public health emergency exists and has existed since January 27, 2020 nationwide and, on October 13, 2022, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services renewed that determination; and Whereas, Maine consumers are experiencing increased energy prices across all fuel types and experiencing volatility; and Whereas, with nearly 60% of homes reliant on heating oil, Maine is the most heating oil dependent state in the country. Also, the New England electric grid, which supplies power to a majority of Maine, is over-reliant on natural gas to generate electricity. This makes Maine distinctly vulnerable to price increases; and Whereas, residential energy prices have increased significantly throughout the pandemic and high winter energy prices will exacerbate the ongoing effects of the pandemic and pose a threat to Maine's recovery from the pandemic; and Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Committee Categories

Rachel Talbot Ross (D)*,  Troy Jackson (D), 

Emergency Enacted, Jan 4, 2023 (on 01/04/2023)

Official Document