AUGUSTA
— Lawmakers, conservationists and others came out Thursday in support
of a plan to promote energy efficiency in schools, businesses and
homes. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Phil Bartlett, D-Gorham,
would increase rebates and grants for improvements in energy
efficiency. It also would require school districts to train facility
managers to reduce energy use and promote conservation.
The
rebates and grants would be offered through the Efficiency Maine
program and be paid for by adding as much as 1 1/2 cents per kilowatt
hour to Mainers' electricity bills over the next three years.
Advocates
said the Act to Promote Energy Independence in Maine would help
residents reduce their electricity bills, make schools and other public
buildings less expensive to operate and reduce power plant emissions
that contribute to global warming.
"The result will be buildings that stretch our tax dollars further and further," said Sen. Arthur Mayo, D-Bath.
The bill would double the funding for Efficiency Maine. The 2-year-old
state program helps fund energy efficiency renovations and equipment in
commercial and public buildings and offers rebates to people who switch
to fluorescent light bulbs in their homes.
Homeowners
and others who apply for the rebates and incentives can quickly save
money, even after the added fee on electric bills, advocates said.
"It's
basically less than a one-year payback. It's free money," said Bill
Donovan, energy manager and educator for Topsham-based SAD 75 and
Freeport schools. He looks for ways schools can reduce energy use and
seeks state grants to make buildings and equipment more energy
efficient. In five years of efficiency upgrades and smarter energy use,
he said, School Administrative District 75 has saved $700,000.
"There's a lot of work that can be done here," Donovan said, "a lot of savings."
Gov.
John Baldacci plans to unveil his own energy bill in the coming weeks
and also will encourage more improvements in efficiency and
conservation, said Beth Nagusky, the state's energy director. "It's the
first and best defense against high energy prices and it's one thing we
have some control over," she said.
But
Baldacci has not taken a position on the proposal to increase fees to
provide money for conservation incentives. "We will look at Sen.
Bartlett's bill closely," she said.
The idea of raising fees is drawing opposition to the bill.
Rep.
Kenneth Fletcher, R-Winslow, said encouraging efficiency is a great
idea, but not by adding to the already high cost of power.
Fletcher
said Maine residents have seen power costs rise rapidly over the past
five years - by $250 a year for the average household - because the
state doesn't have a plan for diversifying its power sources and
controlling costs. The increased fee for efficiency programs would just
add to that pain, he said.
"That's
another $9 or $10 (a year) we're asking ratepayers to put in on top of
a $250 increase," he said. "It may not be the right time."
