Information regarding an energy rebate program directed at combatting the rising costs of heating fuel is expected to be tabled in the legislature this afternoon.

'I just brought in a draft program to caucus (Wednesday). We had a good discussion; we're going to go ahead with it,' Premier Dennis Fentie told reporters Wednesday.

David Hrycan, the Department of Finance's assistant deputy minister in financial operations and revenue services, confirmed this morning a program is moving forward.

However, the department is not able to release other information on the program until after it has been tabled, he said.

Fentie indicated the details of the program can't yet be unveiled because it would be 'breaking with policy', which says the cabinet and the management board must make decisions on the program before any public announcements are made.

But the premier said the proposed program will be 'very broad' and will be called an 'energy rebate program.'

'Our whole objective here is to target those who would be most in need,' said Fentie.

'What we're trying to do is follow the federal government GST database to measure our income ranges that would meet the targets we would desire to meet.

'We've done our work here in accordance with trying to get our work out there as quickly as possible,' he said. 'Our whole objective is to ensure there will be rebates flowing sometime in early in the New Year (2006).'

The government will need to work with the opposition parties to create a piece of legislation for the program, said Fentie.

He said the opposition support is needed because some other pieces of legislation will need to be changed 'somewhat' to allow the program to go forward.

Fentie announced the government was exploring options for a rebate program to offset the rising costs of heating fuel in late October.

The premier again brought up the possibility of the program on the floor of the legislature in early-November.

In his role as Finance Minister, Fentie suggested the possibility of a heating program as an 'innovative tax measure' during debate on an Act to Amend the Income Tax Act.

'There might have been some possibility, through a tax regime, that we could try to offset the issue of home heating fuel.

'But that remains to be seen, because we want to do our work on this and make sure that what we are doing is reaching those who will need relief and assistance through this period with high fuel prices,' he told the committee of the whole.

During the week of Nov. 23, the cost of furnace oil was approximately $1.02 per litre, while Arctic stove oil was $1.05.