Maine Governor Encourages Mainers to Improve Home Energy Efficiency

August 21, 2007 -- CAPE ELIZABETH – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today kicked off the “How Does Your Home Perform?” campaign as part of the Maine Home Performance with EnergyStar� program. Maine Home Performance, a home retrofit program sponsored by the Governor’s Office of Energy Independence and Security, is creating a sustainable market throughout the State of Maine for diagnosis and treatment of homes to make them healthy, comfortable, and cost and energy efficient.

Governor Baldacci said that while his Administration is working to reduce energy costs and make the state more energy independent, he is also encouraging Maine people to use energy efficiency as a way to cut their utility bills.

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Earlier today, the Governor joined a coalition opposed to a new federally imposed charge on the electricity bills of Maine people and businesses. The federal fee adds an additional 6% charge to residential customers and 10% to industrial customers. The Maine Public Utilities Commission and Maine Public Advocate are appealing this case to federal court. Governor Baldacci joined the coalition of business people, school officials, regulators and lawmakers who are opposed to this charge, stating that Maine’s competitiveness is severely hampered by the fee. He said that this additional cost makes home energy conservation efforts even more important.

“Home energy improvements in Maine homes can reduce energy use by up to 50 percent and can improve indoor air quality and the home’s comfort and durability,” said Governor Baldacci. “Saving energy provides all our residents with a way to deal with high energy prices, to reduce our dependence on imported oil, and to avert global warming.”

Contractors participating in the program make long-term, sustainable and profitable changes to their business model. Homeowners participating in the program receive a comprehensive assessment of their home, implementation services, third-party quality assurance and access to affordable loans. A “Certificate of Energy Savings-Improvements” documents each participating homeowner’s energy, dollar and carbon savings.

The Governor and Maine Home Performance officials were at the home of Sarah MacColl, a personal trainer living in Cape Elizabeth, to see firsthand the kinds of improvements that will save Sarah money and make her home more comfortable.

Governor Baldacci said that while Maine has little control over what is behind rising energy prices, his Administration has been working to reduce energy costs and make the state more energy independent. The Governor has been working with New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham to partner with the province on electrical interconnections. Governor Baldacci has also been pursuing alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and biofuels.

The Governor said Maine Home Performance contractors are available today to help Maine homeowners. They can offer special low-interest financing through MaineHousing and other secured and unsecured loan options. Participating homeowners can count on third-party quality assurance and the integrity of the work performed on their homes through Maine Home Performance contractors. The Governor's Office of Energy Independence and Security empowers the citizens of Maine by providing them with resources to make smart energy choices.

Look for the “How Does Your Home Perform” message in print, television, radio and online early this fall. For more information on the Maine Home Performance program, contact Heather Rae, Maine Home Performance Project Manager, at 207-449-1102 or hrae@MaineHomePerformance.org or visit the Maine Home Performance website at www.MaineHomePerformance.org.

Source: Maine Governor