Tim Nangle: Helping Maine families stay warm as cooler weather arrives

By Senator Tim Nangle

Cooler mornings remind us that another Maine winter is approaching. For many of us, that means thinking about how to fit the next heating oil delivery into the household budget. Heating oil prices are climbing, and I feel that pinch, too.

State Senator Tim Nangle

The war in Iran is disrupting global oil supplies and driving up heating costs here in Maine. According to the Maine Department of Energy Resources, a Sept. 14 survey put the statewide average at $5.77 per gallon. When groceries, housing and other necessities already cost so much, filling the tank can be a difficult expense to manage.

After spending most of my career in public safety, I know that keeping people safe starts with making sure their basic needs are met. A warm home is one of those needs. Nobody should have to choose between buying heating fuel, refilling a prescription, or putting food on the table.

That is why my colleagues and I worked this year to help Mainers manage energy costs. In the supplemental budget, we invested in electricity assistance for households with low incomes. We also authorized up to $1.5 million from Maine’s “Rainy Day” fund for emergency heating assistance during declared emergencies lasting more than 10 days. This gives Maine another way to provide emergency heating assistance when federal funding is delayed, as it was during the federal government shutdown last fall.

We also passed the Energy Fairness Act, which requires the Maine Public Utilities Commission to consider affordability for residential customers when making decisions. It directs a comprehensive review of electric delivery rates to identify ways to contain costs, reduce unpredictable swings in bills and improve transparency. Mainers deserve to understand what we are paying for and to have our household budgets considered when regulators make decisions that affect us.

These steps will not completely ease the strain of a costly winter, but they reflect a responsibility I take seriously: making it more affordable for people to live here.

As we head into the cooler months, I also want to share resources that may help.

The Home Energy Assistance Program, known as HEAP, helps eligible homeowners and renters pay part of their heating costs. Applications for the 2026-2027 season are open, and I encourage you to apply early. Renters may qualify, even if heat is included in their rent. In Cumberland County, call The Opportunity Alliance at 207-553-5900 to schedule a phone appointment. You can also find the online application by visiting mainehousing.org/HEAP.

For households with an extremely low fuel supply the Energy Crisis Intervention Program may provide emergency assistance. The program opens Nov. 1. If you are running low, call The Opportunity Alliance at 207-553-5900, explain your situation and ask what help is available. Learn more at opportunityalliance.org/ecip.

Also, the town or city you live in has a General Assistance program that may help pay for heating fuel and utilities if you cannot meet your basic needs. Contact your municipal office to apply. This is another place to turn if you need help before seasonal emergency assistance opens. 

If you are unsure where to start, dial 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211. A specialist can help identify heating assistance and other local resources.

When applying for HEAP, ask about other programs like electricity assistance, weatherization and heating system repairs, too. Depending on eligibility, these programs may help with other energy expenses and make your home more energy efficient.

I know these bills add up and asking for help isn’t always easy. We have more work to do to make energy affordable, but support is available now. If you need help finding the right program or navigating an application, contact me at [email protected] or 207-287-1515. My office is here to help you find what you need to stay warm in the months ahead.

State Senator Tim Nangle represents District 26 including Windham, Raymond, Casco, Frye Island, and part of Westbrook.

The opinions in this column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of The Windham Eagle newspaper ownership or its staff. <