A group of Maine credit unions led by the Maine Credit UnionLeague has come to the aid of homeowners and businesses in threeMid-Coast counties by providing zero interest, no fee loansfollowing the failure of a Brunswick energy firm.

The CUs pledged $200,000 to assist the 400 residents andbusinesses affected by last month's collapse of the family-runThibeault Energy Co., which supplied oil and gas in the regionnorth of Portland.

Disclosure of the CU loan package came at a press conferenceconducted by Gov. Paul LePage detailing the hardships for residentsof the Mid-Coast area served by the firm.

Under the program, which the Maine League helped facilitate andcoordinate, CUs are offering loans up to $2,000 at zero interestand no fee for 12 months to purchase fuel.

“There's a good three months of the heating season and here wehave residents wondering how they are going to come up with thefunds to heat their homes,” said Roger Sirois, president/CEO of the$233 million Atlantic Regional FCU, told reporters in Augusta.

Other CUs in the participating group beside Atlantic Regionalinclude: Down East CU; Five County CU; Lisbon Community FCU; andMidcoast FCU.

At the Tuesday briefing to announce the program, Gov. LePagecongratulated the state's CUs “for taking action to help others. Icommend the Maine Credit Union League for helping to coordinate aquick response and to the credit unions for being willing tohelp.”

John Murphy, president/CEO of the league, said, “Maine creditunions have once again shown a willingness to assist consumers andcommunities. This is an example of the cooperative spirit of creditunions coming together to demonstrate leadership during a crisisthat has impacted a number of consumers in the Mid-Coastregion.”

“We are offering these special loans not only because there isan immediate need, but because it is the right thing to do,” saidSirois.