Senator Bartlett: A Leader in Energy Efficiency
The high cost of fuel continues to expose many Maine families and businesses to the reality that we need to become more energy efficient in our homes and businesses. Maine currently has the highest dependence on #2 heating oil in the nation, with annual consumption of half a billion gallons. As a result, our state is losing upwards of a billion dollars and thousands of jobs every year. More than 85% of our energy comes from imported (and often polluting) fuels and a volatile fuel market can handcuff a household’s financial stability or the growth and prosperity of a business.
As a member of the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee throughout most of my legislative service, I have been focused on addressing energy efficiency for our state. Here in Maine, we are fortunate to have a valuable resource for helping lower energy costs and saving money in a home or business through the Efficiency Maine Trust.
In 2009, the Maine Legislature created the Efficiency Maine Trust to consolidate the funds for consumer efficiency programs for all fuel types – electric, natural gas, and heating oil – in a one-stop shopping experience. The Trust is also helping transform the energy market in Maine to make energy efficient products and alternative energy equipment more accessible and affordable to customers. By reducing waste and improving our energy efficiency, Maine is able to reduce capital outflows and increase local jobs; improve air quality and reduce CO2 emissions; and foster a more competitive, greener economy ready to take advantage of new markets and opportunities for our future.
I am proud to report that 2011 was a record year for programs offered through Efficiency Maine. According to their annual report, the programs saved more energy and more money than in any prior year. In economic terms, Efficiency Maine programs generated $116 million in total investments in energy infrastructure upgrades; lowered present and future energy costs by an estimated $449 million, making businesses more profitable and competitive and families more economically secure; reduced the demand for electricity across the state; and helped create or retain jobs. All of this occurred despite the overall sluggish economy.
To learn more about residential or business energy efficiency and alternative energy programs, visit: www.savelikeamainer.com.
Looking ahead, the Efficiency Maine Trust has been tasked with an aggressive ten and twenty year set of goals to achieve energy savings by reducing electricity and natural gas consumption by 30% within a decade; reducing oil heating use by 20% in the same timeframe; and weatherizing 100% of homes and 50% of businesses by 2030 in Maine. Without a doubt, these targets are some of the more ambitious goals in the country.
It has been said that we discovered the cheapest energy in America – and it is energy efficiency. Through the efforts of Efficiency Maine, we have been a leader in helping lower energy costs and saving money for the people and businesses of Maine. We all benefit by building upon this success. This kind of progress is critical in moving Maine in the right direction.