The Burlington Free Press reports that starting July 22nd, "the rising price of natural gas will drive Vermont Gas bills up 8.7 percent. Vermont Gas bills comprise three parts: a daily access charge, a distribution charge and the cost of the natural gas. The first two charges are not being changed, but the price of natural gas is increasing 14.2 percent to $1.249 per 100 cubic feet." Notably, "the cost of the natural gas makes up about 70 percent of residential bills." According to Jim Condos, the utility's public affairs manager, the price will be passed along to the customer and there will be no mark-up. The utility explained that the price increase is "a result of 'an increase in the wholesale price of natural gas and the cost of transporting natural gas from western Canada to Vermont.'"

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The Burlington Free Press reports that "Vermonters can now get connected to additional fuel and food resources when they contact Vermont 2-1-1, a free statewide resource service." On Tuesday, "the Department of Public Service (DPS) and Efficiency Vermont activated the Fuel and Food Partnership with Vermont 2-1-1" and "put a website online to help locals deal with current concerns as well as prepare for the upcoming winter." Governor Douglas, who pushed for the increase in resources through 2-1-1, explained, "While we cannot control the price of a barrel of oil, there are things we must do here at home to help the most vulnerable and ease the pressure on middle income Vermonters."

"Among the new offerings, the DPS will

• host roughly 100 energy workshops locally around the state later this summer;
• present a low interest/no interest loan program through the Vermont Housing Finance Agency;
• offer a sales tax holiday on Energy Star-rated appliances;
• work with the Legislature for more federal money for a low-income housing energy assistance program;
• and work to locate roughly $1 million for a weatherization program."

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The Bennington Banner reports that "low-income Vermonters could be facing a long, cold winter if the federal government does not provide additional funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program" or LIHEAP. LIHEAP "provides fuel assistance to those earning up to 125 percent of the poverty level." Recently, funding for LIHEAP has "fallen behind the increased costs of fuel, and states have had to kick in more money to keep the program afloat." Last year, for example, Vermont put $6.5 million into the program in order to assist more than 21,500 people. This year, it is estimated that the state will need to contribute $20 million, unless more federal funds become available.

The Vermont Legislature and the Douglas administration are working with U.S Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. to secure federal funding for LIHEAP, particularly in light of President Bush's proposal to cut funding for the program by 22 percent. For instance, Governor Douglas, who heads the Coalition of New England Governors, recently sent "a letter to Congress seeking an increase in funding for the program to $5.1 billion." Meanwhile, "the Agency of Human Services and the Department of Finance are making some worst case assumptions" in case federal funds are not available.

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The Burlington Free Press reports that "Governor Jim Douglas has signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor that allows unemployed workers to receive extended benefits while looking for work." Under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Program individuals who have exhausted all regular unemployment benefits will receive up to 13 weeks of additional benefits. "Qualifying individuals will continue to be eligible for an additional 13 weeks provided they do not become eligible for regular unemployment benefits. In addition to having exhausted benefits, a worker must have worked 20 weeks in full-time covered employment or earned the equivalent in covered wages to qualify for extended benefits. Individuals found eligible for the EUC benefits will be paid the same weekly benefit amount as previously paid under the Regular Unemployment program. Emergency unemployment compensation payments will cease on June 30, 2009." Notably, "the benefit and administrative costs of the EUC program will not be funded directly by Vermont employers. Funds have been appropriated from the Federal Unemployment Trust Fund, which receives funding from a tax on employers, the Federal Unemployment Tax."

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The Caledonian Record reports that as fuel costs continue to climb, the St. Johnsbury fire and police departments are "working to cut consumption without compromising safety." For example, St. Johnsbury police officers are doubling up in cruisers and leaving one parked when possible and are on foot when looking for crime at night. "The St. Johnsbury Fire Department is also looking at ways to conserve fuel. Daily errands and inspections have been consolidated to reduce the amount of time on the street for all vehicles." In addition, "firefighters are using the chief's pickup to attend training or are car pooling" and "the number of out-of-town meetings are being scrutinized and the department is attempting to use more phone conferences."

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