AUGUSTA -- Senator Doug Smith (Piscataquis County) was chosen to join the newly formed Presiding Officer Emergency Energy Task Force. The task force was created by legislators to study and examine energy issues confronting the people of Maine.

Sen. Doug Smith

Smith said, "Maine faces a true crisis going into this winter with home heating fuel prices at this level."

The task force held its first meeting on Wednesday August 20th and began its discussion about the immediate needs of Mainers in getting through the coming winter. The task force hopes to have a proposal put together in the very near future.

"There could very well be the need for a one day special session of the legislature to handle this emergency", Smith said.

New England has the highest energy costs in the nation and Maine one of the highest in New England. Senator Smith hopes his influence on the task force will convince the Democrats running the task force that we must change our energy policies if we are going to help Mainers lower their energy costs.

"I am glad to be serving on this task force. It has the potential to introduce real changes; however, if the purpose of the task force is to merely to give political cover or to reaffirm the current policies of high taxes and more borrowing to feed a growing bureaucracy then we will accomplish nothing for the people of Maine. In the short run we must focus on helping our citizen's through this coming winter with a flexible and substantial effort that will not raise taxes. In the long run we must pursue policies that contain energy prices by assuring adequate supplies of energy and encouraging alternatives to fossil fuels. It is time that we look at all energy supply options as well a enhanced efficiency and conservation programs. If we do that, then all Mainers, particularly those most vulnerable, will benefit by the work of this task force," Senator Smith said.