They each represent different sides of the aisle, but Senator Beth
Edmonds (D-Freeport) and Senator Karl Turner (R-Cumberland) share an
interest in weaning Maine from fossil fuels and curbing our state’s
contributions to global warming.
Both Senators signed on to the New Energy Future Platform being
promoted by Environment Maine, a nonprofit advocacy organization based
in Portland.
“We don’t have an energy policy in this country and we’re in desperate
need of one,” Turner said. “Until the federal government steps up, its
going to be up to the states to step up. We’re way too dependent on
foreign oil, and I think it clouds our foreign policy.”
Turner predicted that tax reduction issues will be the top priority for
the Legislature this year, but he said energy issues are sure to garner
plenty of attention. He sees the energy goals of Environment Maine as a
step in the right direction.
“Some of these things in our platform are new initiatives, and some are
existing projects,” said Jennifer Anderson, a spokesperson for
Environment Maine. “This isn’t going to happen overnight, but its a
road map.”
Among the proposals included in the platform are support for developing
home-grown biofuels, establishing efficiency standards for
construction, supporting energy research at the state universities and
re-instating a sales tax incentive for hybrid vehicles. Anderson said
the top two initiatives Environment Maine will be lobbying for this
legislative session include forming a regional initiative with other
northeastern states to reduce global warming pollution and expanding
the Downeaster train service northward.
“I think everybody is realizing that to the extent we can provide
alternative transportation modes, we can save money and save car
emissions,” said Edmonds, who will serve a second term as Senate
President this year. She said the difficulty will come in finding
additional funding and working out issues of track ownership.
Turner sits on the task force convened by Gov. John Baldacci to examine
how to expand passenger rail service in Maine. He is also a frequent
traveler on the Downeaster’s Portland to Boston runs.
“What we need to do now is extend the Amtrak from Portland to
Brunswick,” Turner said. “Once you get to Brunswick you can hook into
state owned lines (to Rockland and Calais).”
Turner pointed out that just like highways and bridges, all passenger
rail services are subsidized by tax dollars. He favors paying for the
expanded service by carving out a portion of the existing sales tax
revenue generated by rental cars, meals and lodging. He said a small
portion of the tax revenue is currently earmarked for tourism
promotion, but the rest gets dumped into the general fund.
“You can make a business case that you can generate additional tax dollars if you have this in play,” Turner said.
On another front, Turner advocates re-examining nuclear power.
“Are we at greater risk as a people from global warming or the improper
use of nuclear power?” Turner asked. “I don’t know the answer, but I
think it’s worth exploring.”
At the same time, he notes that the Legislature will not have a role in
siting nuclear facilities in Maine, as it is a decision left to the
federal level. Turner said nuclear power could serve as a back-up
generation source for an expanded network of wind farms.
Edmonds said she’s heard a lot of interest in wind power from fellow
Senators but doesn’t know of any specific proposals that will come
forward.
Edmonds said because the session won’t officially kick off until Jan.
3, she has yet to see what bills will be proposed by other Senators.
However, she plans to introduce a bill to increase the money available
in the form of tax rebates for residents who install alternative energy
equipment, such as solar hot water heaters and small-scale wind mills.
Turner is hoping to see a bill that mandates more energy efficient
household appliances re-introduced this session. He co-sponsored it in
the previous session, and while it passed in the Senate, it failed in
the House and couldn’t be reconciled between the two chambers.
“I’m working right now on a series of research and development bond
packages and a portion of that will be tied to energy research,” Turner
said.
Driving the interest in energy policy for both senators is a concern
for the future and an understanding of the significant role our state’s
natural heritage plays in our economic success.
“The environment is an important piece of our identity as Mainers,”
Edmonds said. “And every chance we get to move that forward we should
do it.”
