Governor, legislative leaders form task force on high energy costs

By Stephanie Ebbert, Globe Staff

Governor Deval Patrick and the leaders of the state House and Senate are forming a task force to develop a plan to help citizens manage sky-high energy costs this winter -- in part by getting them to embrace cheap energy-saving measures the state is already promoting.

The nine-member panel will spend two months considering ways to get people to carpool or take the T or weatherize their homes to better contain heat. The panel also intends to coordinate with community organizations to create safety nets for people who cannot afford to heat their homes.

“People are feeling anxious about skyrocketing energy prices, and I share their concern – the pinch will become tighter when the temperature drops and furnaces turn on,” Patrick said in a statement. “To avoid a crisis this winter, we need to do everything we can do now to help our citizens protect themselves against rising costs.”

The average Massachusetts household is expected to spend over $3,750 on heating oil this winter, compared to $1,800 just two winters ago. Since the winter of 2005-2006, the price of home heating oil has jumped 87 percent to $4.71 a gallon, according to the governor’s office.

"It's going to be a hard winter for Massachusetts consumers with the cost of home heating oil having gone up so dramatically," said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian A. Bowles. "We in state government need to get mobilized now....I also think it's an opportunity to mobilize the outside parties -- church groups, foundations, community organizations -- recognizing that state government can only address a certain piece of the puzzle."

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