AUGUSTA -- Gov. John Baldacci today announced his short-term plan to help Maine residents cope with high heating costs, a move he said eliminates the need for a special legislative session.

According to a news release from his office, the plan:

• Dedicates $4.25 million to increase the low-income heating benefit to $500 per eligible household. The current benefit is estimated at $415.

• Creates a $3.25 million emergency fund in January to help families who either participate in LIHEAP or are slightly above the entitlement threshold in the event of a fuel oil emergency.

• Increases weatherization funding by $2 million, expanding the state's current program by an estimated 500 homes. The new funding supplements an anticipated $6.5 million in weatherization funding, which could improve another 1,500 homes. Typical weatherization improvements can reduce fuel use by 20 percent, the governor's office said.

• Invests an additional $1 million to clean, tune and repair furnaces in an estimated 1,500 additional LIHEAP-eligible homes.

• Reserves $1 million of available funding in the Economic Recovery Loan Program at the Finance Authority of Maine for eligible energy conservation projects for businesses in the state.

• Moves $1.01 million within the Department of Transportation to increase utilization of the GoMaine program, extends the Free Fare Fridays promotion, studies the state's Park & Ride network and improves access to rail services.

• Utilizes $75,000 to provide energy saving recommendations and program contact information to low-income Maine households.

• Distributes 2,000 Keep ME Warm Kits through MaineHousing.

Also today, Democratic legislative leaders announced the creation of a panel to review current resources and options to determine what may require immediate legislative action, according to the office of House Speaker Glenn Cummings, D-Portland.

A bipartisan group of legislative leaders will be asked to review current options for Maine people, hear what is lacking and develop an agenda for action.