ALBANY — A "winter fuels summit" meeting held Tuesday by a number of state agency heads sought to anticipate responses to soaring energy costs and their effect on the ability of New Yorkers to heat their homes this winter.

"It's only July and we're already concerned," said Paul DeCotis, state deputy secretary for energy, after the meeting. "Heating oil and natural gas prices are estimated to be 35 to 40 percent higher than last season. It's an affordability issue."

While prices for oil and natural gas are set in national and international markets, which are outside of the state's control, Mr. DeCotis said there is still "much the state can do." Tuesday's exploratory meeting, he said, was meant to "identify and inventory the programs the state offers and look at funding levels" in order to determine how the state might best help people stay warm.

"We're really trying to get everyone who works in this area together to understand the breadth of resources the state can bring to this," said Deborah VanAmerongen, state commissioner of housing and community renewal. "Gov. [David A.] Paterson will be working aggressively in Washington D.C. to get federal money for LIHEAP and weatherization."

Ms. VanAmerongen referred to two federally funded state efforts, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program, to assist people in paying power bills and conserving energy.

Information about the state weatherization assistance program may be found online at www.nysdhcr.gov/ocd/progs/wap/ocdwap0.htm. Info about LIHEAP is available at www.

otda.state.ny.us/main/heap.

Assemblyman Kevin A. Cahill, D-Ulster/Dutchess, chairs the Assembly Energy Committee. During the recently ended legislative session, he introduced a bill (A.11590) that would have, among other things, allocated funds from a proposed windfall energy tax receipts on oil companies to boost grant sizes and expand eligibility requirements for LIHEAP.

"The important thing is that we're talking. We're not ahead of the curve, we're not behind it," Mr. Cahill said. "State agencies are on the alert and are considering possibilities. They're looking to expand outreach and coordinate their efforts. It's a good start."

Agencies and authorities represented at the meeting Tuesday included: Consumer Protection Board, Division of Housing and Community Renewal, Department of Public Service, Emergency Management Office, Long Island Power Authority, New York Power Authority, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and Office of Temporary Disability Assistance, among others.

"I do not want to create any false hope," Gov. Paterson said. "There is only so much we can do on the state level to help ease the costs of home heating. But New York residents have my word that we will do everything within our ability to help them stay warm this winter."

"As we work toward this goal, I would also urge all New Yorkers to take the time this summer to make their homes more energy efficient through weatherization and improved home performance," the governor concluded. "The very best way to save money is to reduce energy use."