AUGUSTA -- Democratic legislative leaders met with Governor John Baldacci and said afterward there are no plans now for a special session on energy issues.

But with home-heating oil prices so high, the House and Senate leaders said nothing has been ruled out. They noted that the governor is to unveil a pre-emergency task force report soon, perhaps sometime next week. Many of the draft proposals carry hefty price tags. Lawmakers said Thursday one option is to consolidate existing assistance programs to maximize access and promote efficiency. House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree of North Haven said the state can already promote home weatherization projects to enable residents to conserve fuel.

On Wednesday, governors from across New England called for a sharp boost in federal home heating aid.