Clean Energy Program News

For Immediate Release:                                                       

November 14, 2007, 10am

Contact:

Piper Crowell, 415-342-2770

                                                                                              Tracy Allen, 207-253-1965

 

MAINE APPLAUDED FOR LEADERSHIP ON CLEAN ENERGY:

GOV. BALDACCI AND ENVIRONMENT MAINE TO CALL

ON CONGRESS TO PASS ENERGY BILL THIS YEAR

 

 

The Environment America report, “America’s Clean Energy Stars:State Actions Leading America to a New Energy Future” praised Maine's officials for adopting bold policies to promote clean energy that can provide a model for the entire nation.  In releasing the report, Environment Maine and Governor John Baldacci called on Congress to follow the lead of the states by passing a strong energy bill that increases renewable energy, fuel economy and energy conservation.

 

“Maine deserves tremendous credit for rising to our nation’s energy challenge by reducing energy consumption and promoting clean renewable energy and for helping to lead the nation,” said Piper Crowell, Field Associate for Environment Maine.  “While we can and should do even more to meet our energy challenges here in Maine, our leaders in Washington should stop dragging their feet and follow the road map provided by Maine's actions. Congress must pass a strong energy bill this year that saves energy, saves oil and moves America forward to a new energy future.” 

 

Maine was rated a silver star for its bold leadership to increase renewable energy, save energy, and require more clean cars according to a report released today by Environment Maine. This report also gave Maine gold star status for the state's clean cars and energy efficiency programs.

 

“At a time when American’s are enduring the consequences of a long dormant national energy policy with their heating bills and gas at the pump, it is astonishing that Congress is unable to pass a comprehensive energy package,” said Senator Snowe. “The Energy Stars Report illustrates that states across the country are attempting to fill the void of a national energy policy; Congress must heed these successes and pass a strong energy bill that promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy.”

 

In developing the report, Environment America researchers looked at five areas of cutting-edge clean energy policy adopted by the state governments: renewable electricity standards, the Clean Cars Program, utility energy efficiency programs, energy efficiency standards for appliances, and building energy codes. 

 

“The energy challenge facing America demands bold action at every level.  Here in Maine, we have begun to take action. We need to do more, but we cannot do it alone,” said Gov. Baldacci  “We are counting on Congress to join us as we work together to achieve the promise of a new energy future for America.” 

 

"I am delighted that the work we have been doing in Maine is being acknowledged in the Environment America report. The Governor's Office of Energy Independence, the Legislature's Committee on Utilities and Energy, the Public Utilities Commission's Efficiency Maine program, and many of Maine's most progressive businesses all are working together to move us forward. I sincerely hope that what we are doing here in Maine can serve as an example to Congress, so that the rest of the country can begin to take steps that we are taking in Maine."   Representative Lawrence Bliss (D-South Portland), Maine State Legislature.

  

A number of states, including Maine, were spotlighted for special recognition in the report.  

Maine is one of five states – Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Pennsylvania and Vermont – highlighted as “silver star” clean energy states for adopting strong policies in at least two areas of energy policy and meaningful policies in one to two others.

 

Maine has a renewable energy standard that requires 10 percent of the state's energy to be generated from new clean renewable sources by 2017, on top of the existing 30 percent eligible resource portfolio standard.

 

"The concept of clean, cheap, reliable energy drawn from resources that do no harm to our planet or handcuff us to foreign oil is not science fiction," said House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven, who announced that she is introducing two major energy bills to the legislature in 2008 that aim to lower costs and promote green energy. "It's the very near future, and the goal is completely reachable.  We've made great strides in getting there at the state level, but we need the federal government to act boldly in order to make a real global difference."

 

Maine has also adopted a Clean Cars Program which sets tailpipe emission standards for new cars, boosts the number of hybrids on the road and will reduce the global warming pollution coming from new cars starting in 2009. The long term benefits are clear, this report shows that Clean Cars Program already adopted by 12 states will cut global warming pollution from cars, light trucks and SUVs by 74 million metric tons per year in 2020.

 

“Scientists are growing increasingly concerned about climate change, of which automobile emissions are a major contributor. Implementing commonsense CAFE standards will enable us to limit our dependence on foreign oil and will help to address global warming,” said Senator Collins.  “Our environment, our economy and American consumers need updated standards.”

 

Maine has also significantly invested in renewable energy and energy efficiency with more than 2 percent of electric utility revenue devoted to energy efficiency, and implemented through the state-run Efficiency Maine.

 

"By boosting investments in energy efficiency programs and promoting renewable energy sources, like wind, Maine is taking real, meaningful steps that will reduce global warming pollution now," said Steve Hinchman, Staff Attorney for the Conservation Law Foundation's Maine Advocacy Center. "Energy efficiency is not only the cleanest and cheapest power source currently available; it also will defer the need for construction of new power plants while we develop the necessary standards to control carbon emissions."

 

Maine's Sens. Snowe and Collins were applauded for have already taken steps towards creating a cleaner energy future for Maine and this country by co-sponsoring bills to increase clean energy production and boost fuel efficiency standards for cars.

 

At the event Maine's federal representatives we urged to continue their commitment to renewable energy and cleaner cars by advocating comprehensive legislation that requires utilities to produce at 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020 and increases fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks to 35 mpg by 2020.

 

"We have made a commitment to protect the health and safety of Maine people by reducing pollution and increasing energy efficiency in our state," said Speaker of the House Glenn Cummings.  "Unfortunately, the Northeast will always be at the tailpipe of the nation.  We need to push our nation toward a better, more efficient energy policy in order to improve our health and protect our environment here at home."

 

States around the country[EH1]  have adopted strategies in the following policy areas that are making a significant difference in addressing America’s energy challenges:  

 

·    Renewable electricity standards already adopted by 25 states and the District of Columbia would reduce global warming pollution by about 2 percent of current levels, the equivalent of taking more than 21 million cars off the road and would generate enough power to meet more than 5 percent of America’s current power needs.  

 

·    The Clean Cars Program adopted by 12 states would reduce global warming emissions from cars and light trucks by approximately 74 million metric tons per year by 2020 – a little over 1 percent of U.S. emissions in 2006 and the equivalent of taking 13.6 million cars off the road and would reduce gasoline consumption by as much as Florida uses in a year.

 

·     Energy efficiency programs and standards.  If every state were to achieve the energy savings already achieved by the most effective state programs, the United States could reduce electricity consumption by about 8 percent compared to business-as-usual levels in 2020, and avoid as much global warming pollution as taking nearly 49 million cars off the road, approximately 4 percent of current U.S. emissions. 

 

·     Appliance efficiency standards adopted by 12 states since 2002 led to the federal government adopting some of these standards.  The state standards combined with the federal standards leveraged by the state action, will reduce U.S. carbon dioxide emissions by about 1 percent of current levels, the equivalent of taking nearly 12 million cars off the road.  And, they will save enough energy to meet about 2 percent of U.S. electricity consumption in 2005 or enough to power 7.4 million American homes.

 

·     Building energy codes.  Updated residential building codes have adopted in 14 states and the latest commercial codes have been adopted in 17 states.  If every state adopted and enforced the most recent codes, America could reduce emissions by nearly 1%, the equivalent of taking 9 million cars off the road and could avoid the need for 32 new 400 MW power plants. 

 

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Environment Maine advocates clean air, clean water and open spaces on behalf of 3500 members statewide, and is a part of the Environment America federation of state environment groups.