Message from Rep. Gary Friedmann
Via Newsletter
Dear Neighbor,
One of the issues I consistently hear about when I talk to people in our community is that the rising cost of living is straining their budgets. They mention the cost of housing, health care, child care and groceries – but energy costs are almost always near the top of their list.
Republicans in Washington are only making things worse, spending $1 billion a day on the unpopular war in Iran while cutting the health care and food assistance that thousands of Mainers rely on. They’re also making energy even more expensive at a time when many can least afford it.
Since the war began, gas prices have climbed almost a dollar, and heating fuel costs have surged nearly 30%. According to the Maine Department of Energy Resources, filling a standard 275‑gallon oil tank now costs roughly $316 more than it did in February – a painful increase for our state, where roughly half of all homes rely on fuel oil as a primary heating source.
While the war is out of the Legislature’s control, we’re focused on doing what we can to lower costs and make energy more affordable for working families.
Just this month, we passed a new law that will require the Public Utilities Commission to consider affordability for residential customers when setting new electric rates. We’re also considering bills that would create a sales tax exemption on residential electricity and expand funding for a program that helps eligible Mainers afford to pay their bills.
Despite the chaos and dysfunction in Washington, I’ll continue to work to provide real solutions to the real challenges that Mainers are facing, and on providing meaningful relief to help make energy in our state more affordable.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns, or if there is any support that I can provide.
Sincerely,
Rep. Gary Friedmann
Serving House District 14
(207) 460-7362
Gary.Friedmann@legislature.maine.gov
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