Weekly Radio Address: Senator Boyle says, “We cannot let politics or ideologies get in the way of proven energy efficiency solutions”

Weekly Radio Address: Senator Boyle

Good morning. This is State Senator Jim Boyle from Gorham.

I’d like to talk to you today about something that impacts us all.

Senator Boyle delivers the weekly radio address

Energy costs.

We all use it and need it and, bemoan its expense. Businesses and families alike share these concerns.

But here’s the simple truth: We waste a lot of energy.

Many of our buildings are older and are not adequately insulated–or weatherized.

Many of our homes and businesses have appliances and heating systems and lights that are older and, because of that, use more energy than they have to.

In fact, of the more than $5 billion a year Maine spends on energy costs, an estimated 20 to 40 percent is wasted. It is wasted due to inefficiencies in our homes and businesses.

That’s a lot of money. That’s at least a billion dollars that could be saved.

It could be saved if weatherization and energy efficiency were our top priorities.

These are simple steps that could help lower electricity and heating costs for Maine homes across the state.

Saving money through energy efficiency is critical to our economy. As former state economist Charlie Colgan recently wrote, “Perhaps the single most effective action to enhance Maine’s business climate and economic competitiveness is to aggressively increase the energy efficiency of Maine’s economy.”

Energy efficiency works.

And there’s proof:

Efficiency Maine’s Home Energy Savings Program saved the average homeowner $1,400 per year. Before its funding ran out, thousands of Mainers were helped–they saved money. Folks like John and Sheila Bacon from Winslow, who cut their heating costs in half.

Just last year, Efficiency Maine’s business programs helped saved 1,200 businesses $76 million dollars in lifetime energy costs. Businesses like Old Town Canoe signed up for the programs and now they are saving $40,000 per year.

This is real money. Forty thousand dollars for a Maine business makes a difference—as does $1,400 to a Maine family.

But we need to do more.

Currently, Maine makes the lowest per capita investment in energy efficiency in New England. As our New England neighbors take advantage of common sense solutions, our costs will continue to rise. It’s simple math – if this continues, Mainers will see their electric and heating bills increase because the cost to produce energy is more expensive than the cost to save it.

The clock is ticking and before you know it, another winter will be upon us. We must act now.

Recently, I submitted a bill that will improve the energy efficiency of Maine homes and businesses. This bill will put more money in the pockets of Maine families and make Maine businesses more competitive. And here’s how: the bill ensures that funding is available for all cost-effective efficiency projects that lower electricity bills–a top priority for businesses.

And it also provides funding for weatherization and high efficiency heating systems that will cut fuel bills. These things will save Maine people money and strengthen our economy.

I know energy costs are also on the mind of the Governor. And, he too has a bill that deals with energy efficiency. Unfortunately, the Governor’s bill actually cuts money for energy efficiency projects. This will raise energy costs for Maine by $100 million. The efficiency cuts in his bill will particularly hurt small businesses, and will eliminate all efficiency funding for Maine’s largest businesses.

Lowering energy costs should be a non-partisan issue. And traditionally it has been.

Maine has nearly a decade of good energy policy that was done in a bipartisan manner. Just this week, Maine’s Republican Senator, Susan Collins wrote in an op-ed “One of the most effective and immediate ways we can help people stretch their energy dollars is through weatherization.” She noted that weatherization is a particularly good job-creator, especially in lower income areas.

If we let politics or ideologies get in the way of proven solutions, Maine will fall behind. Worse, Maine people will pay higher energy costs.

The good news is that there are commonsense, bi-partisan, proven solutions that will lower energy costs for Maine people.

We know what works. Energy efficiency.

Thank you for listening. This is State Senator Jim Boyle from Gorham. Have a great weekend.

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