Written by Rep. Leila Percy | 15 May 2009

There are many ongoing efforts to reform Maine's energy policy, to create long-term planning for our energy delivery infrastructure and to move Maine toward energy independence. Both the Utilities and Energy Committee and the Joint Select Committee on Maine's Energy Future are focused on these issues this year.

The new and temporary Joint Legislative Committee on Maine's Energy Future was formed in the fall to focus attention on, among other issues, the new upgraded transmission lines proposed by Bangor Hydro and Central Maine Power (CMP) to connect Maine and the rest of New England to energy produced in Maine and New Brunswick.

This project has the potential to create jobs and economic growth in Maine and create opportunities for cleaner energy production and more energy independence for our state ... if done right. My colleagues and I, Governor Baldacci and the Office of the Public Advocate must all remain vigilant to assure that Maine has a long-term energy plan that makes sense for us.

Given the frequency and length of recent power outages in our immediate area I feel it is vital that we make sure CMP is working to deal with this problem before they begin a massive transmission line project that may distract them from the immediate needs of their current customers.

We must also be assured that any new infrastructure projects are built to incentivize and connect to local energy production whether that is a multi-windmill project in the potato fields of Aroostook County or a solar array on your barn that can feed excess energy back to the power grid. These transmission lines must not just allow power to "pass through" Maine from Canada to the rest of New England. The people, businesses and communities of Maine should be and must be the major beneficiaries of power generated here and transmission lines that may be built through our back yards.

One example of energy-related legislation being considered by the Utilities and Energy Committee this session is LD 1450, An Act to Establish the Renewable Energy Resources Program. The bill would require the PUC to establish by rule a renewable energy resources program to encourage the rapid and sustainable development of renewable energy resources and technology for environmentally healthy generation of electricity. It would require that utilities purchase renewably produced electricity from all qualified suppliers, and it would set the rate that electric utilities must pay for such power. This bill is sponsored by my friend and colleague, Rep. Herb Adams, who is the longest serving member of the Utilities and Energy Committee and also serves on the Committee on Maine's Energy Future.

Maine's investments in energy reform must move us toward energy independence. Maine has tremendous potential for clean energy production based in our already present natural resources and geography. Wind and tidal power, along with continued and renewed interest in wood-based heat and biomass produced by our struggling and rapidly closing mills, make it possible for Maine to produce a good deal of the energy we need and use.

The Committee on Maine's Energy Future is also considering legislation to make Maine as energy efficient as possible and to potentially create thousands of "green jobs." At present, Mainers spend about $3 billion annually on non-transportation energy supply. The "Green Jobs" bill would re-channel 9 percent or less of that spending into purchasing efficiency, which energy professionals agree costs less than supply, and generates more jobs.

This bill is predicted to create a net savings for Maine residents of roughly $10 billion due to the ten-year energy savings effort. At the same time the bill should generate thousands of lasting and well-paying jobs.

Measures would include free energy audits to all Maine homes, as well as professional weatherization grants and financing, technical assistance, green standards for new buildings and appliances, and specialized assistance to the industrial, commercial and low-income sectors.

In addition, the bill recommends enhanced workforce development funding and a unified state energy authority with bonding capacity and protected funding. The efficiency entity's core mission would be to ensure that all heating oil, gas and electricity customers could achieve the highest level of savings, with an overall energy reduction of 30 percent by 2020.

I continue to be hopeful that the legislature will have the opportunity to support meaningful and effective public policy that contributes to energy security and independence and that provides economic growth and efficiency for Maine now and into the future. I will keep you informed to the best of my abilities.

As always you can contact me at 207-389-2133/e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it