Our next senator must be committed in working in a bipartisan manner to solve the astronomically high energy costs that threaten low-income and elderly citizens. The prices of gasoline, home heating oil and diesel are creating serious economic hardships for small businesses across Maine.

Sen. Susan Collins has a record of working in a bipartisan manner by building consensus between diverse groups. She reached across party affiliation to ensure greater transparency, accountability and oversight of our financial institutions and guarded against corporate price manipulation. Sen. Collins has championed the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

In the last four years, the number of households receiving LIHEAP assistance increased by 26 percent. Sen. Collins has been a stalwart leader in developing commercially-viable technologies to produce ethanol from cellulosic sources.

Using the research and development assets at the University of Maine and Maine Maritime Academy, she advocates tidal, geothermal, solar and wind for renewable energy resources and she will expand tax credits to residential homes and small businesses in Maine.

As voters, we seek a bipartisan approach by our elected officials to solve our energy and financial challenges. Sen. Collins will continue to fight for working families and small businesses in Maine.

Rep. H. David Cotta

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