EFFICIENCY MAINE A Program of the Maine Public Utilities Commission 3/20/2009 STATE OF MAINE STATE ENERGY PROGRAM www.efficiencymaine.com 207-287-3318 Energy Programs at the Maine Public Utilities Commission Maine’s State Energy Program (SEP) merged with Efficiency Maine in 2002 to form one cohesive Energy Programs Division. Efficiency Maine is a statewide effort to promote the more efficient use of electricity, help Maine residents and businesses reduce energy costs, and improve Maine's environment. Efficiency Maine is funded by electricity consumers and administered by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC). The merger of the State Energy Program with Efficiency Maine allows SEP to use DOE funding to leverage matching funds at more than a dollar for dollar ratio. This leveraging allows Efficiency Maine to provide a broader, fuel-neutral menu of services to Maine citizens: LOW INTEREST LOAN PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESSES - This revolving low interest loan program was developed with funding from a State Energy Program Grant, to assist small commercial, non-profit, and manufacturing facilities (fewer than 50 full time employees or less than $5,000,000 in annual revenue) with funding MPUC-approved energy conservation measures. Our new partnership this year with the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) allows us to expand our usual $35,000 cap up to $250,000 at 3% interest for energy efficiency improvements in small businesses which have received an energy audit. Examples of projects which could be funded under this program are: insulation, windows, refrigeration, auxiliary power units for truckers, and renewable energy projects such as geothermal, wind and solar. Because of limited resources, schools, hospitals, and facilities with residential components, such as apartment buildings, condominiums, home offices, or private residences are not eligible for participation in this program. o 10 loans approved in FY 2008 totaling $250,113 o Savings: 4,467 million BTUs, 163,069 kWh AUXILIARY POWER UNITS (APU) LOANS - UNDER SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM - As a result of questions from truckers regarding whether auxiliary power units for their trucks could be considered under our Low Interest Energy Efficiency Loan Program, we have developed an APU loan for truckers. The Governor, in conjunction with Efficiency Maine and the Finance Authority of Maine, conducted a media event to highlight these loans, which have become very popular as the price of diesel fuel increases. These loans will save truckers an average of $12,000 per year at current diesel prices. o Two APU loans - one for $64,000+ and one for $73,000+ approved at Efficiency Maine and sent to FAME for funding o 8 APU loans approved for truckers for of 22 APU’s, saving an average of $12,000/yr in fuel cost per truck GEOTHERMAL LOANS - UNDER SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM - A resolve passed by the last Legislature allowed for the development of a low interest loan program for small businesses for geothermal systems. Efficiency Maine’s Low Interest Energy Efficiency Loan Program already allows for loans for geothermal systems. We have had many requests for information regarding loans for geothermal systems, but no loan applications for these systems to date. ENERGY AUDIT PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESSES - This program provides free energy audits to small businesses. Businesses which qualify will have the same qualification criteria as the loan program. Audits are walk-through audits rather than engineering assessments. Clients receive a written report providing information on changes they can make to improve their energy efficiency and save money. They will also be given information on funding opportunities available to help pay for the cost of these recommendations. 226 Energy audits performed in FY 08 - up 35% from previous year. o Estimated 2,588,400 kWh saved through implemented measures o $1,354,749 energy costs saved ANEMOMETER LOAN PROGRAM - This program will loan two anemometers, and five more have been requested through the DOE. The University of Maine Orono Campus is managing this program for us, involving engineering students in the setup of the anemometer tower and data recorders. Information will be collected, generating reports which will provide information on whether the site is adequate to produce wind power. SMALL WIND WORKING GROUP - COMING ON-LINE IN 2009 - Maine has received a grant from the Federal Department of Energy to establish a small wind working group. The group’s primary objective is to assemble key state wind stakeholders into a statewide coalition to help implement a strategy to stimulate wind development. Specific activities will include: generating general public education and technical outreach, targeting stakeholder outreach, hosting wind workshops, developing a State wind website, providing Maine-specific literature, presenting at key events (by DOE experts when possible), and assistance in targeted Wind Powering America initiatives. Key target stakeholders include legislators, environmental groups, Federal and State agency organizations, private and non-profit organizations, and rural agriculture organizations. GRANT PROGRAM FOR SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN DEP GREENHOUSE GAS SURVEY - Efficiency Maine has partnered with the Department of Environmental Protection to use a $13,000 EPA grant to provide mini-grants up to $1,400 to nine pre-selected schools which have participated in DEP’s Greenhouse Gas Survey. The first priority will be to ensure that schools receive an energy audit, or have staff that has access to Building Operator Certification (BOC) training. If the school has received an audit, or has someone who has received BOC training, the funds may be spent for an energy efficiency project. These projects are not limited to those which provide electrical savings. BIOFUELS WEB SITE - Efficiency Maine has contracted with the Maine Energy Investment Corporation to provide a website and electronic newsletter which provide information on biofuels activities in the state, education on biofuels issues, and a list of businesses which provide biofuels to Maine’s drivers. This is a new endeavor, but has been highly popular with the public so far, because it provides some basic information on biofuels as well as some help with locating sites where Mainers can obtain heating fuel as well as biofuels for their vehicles. This project was funded by monies from the annual State Energy Program grant received by the PUC. BIOFUELS SPECIAL PROJECTS GRANT WITH SAFE HANDLING - This project, funded by a grant from the Federal Department of Energy, provides for the development of a biodiesel terminal at Safe Handling in Auburn. This will allow producers, wholesalers or even a co-op of distributors to store fuel in this central location for direct transfer to distributors’ trucks. The key features will be: * heated storage - necessary for winter months and * volume-measured transfer capabilities - needed for direct distributor access Simultaneously increasing availability to distributors looking for small volumes and decreasing costs will help speed the adoption of biodiesel in southern Maine. SPECIAL PROJECT GRANT - Rebuild America High Performance Campus Project -This project was funded by a special project grant through the Federal Department of Energy. The grant funds an energy management team for the University of Maine System, which has jurisdiction over all capital planning and construction, facility operations and maintenance, energy purchase, use and conservation decisions for all campuses in the system. The team: o provides system-wide focus on energy issues o coordinates system efforts with individual campus initiatives o assists the system in accessing federal technical assistance resources available through Rebuild America nationally o assists the university in accessing financial resources available through the Maine Public Utilities Commission's Efficiency Maine program. RENEWABLE RESOURCES PROGRAM - The Renewable Resources Fund was established by the Legislature in 2000 and is supported by contributions made by consumers on their electric bill. The Renewable Resources Fund finances (as funds are available) small-scale community projects that will serve as demonstration projects designed to educate the community on the value and cost-effectiveness of harnessing natural resources for clean electricity. Ten grants were awarded for a total of $362,889 in October of 2008. Each year new proposals are considered. SOLAR AND WIND INCENTIVE PROGRAM - The Program was established on June 29, 2005 as part of Governor Baldacci’s Solar Initiative and enacted into law as “An Act To Encourage the Use of Solar Energy”. The Program is administered by the Commission’s Energy Programs Division. The program’s manager is funded by SEP. The Program provides rebates for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV), solar hot water, solar air systems and as of 2009, small-scale wind turbines for Maine residents.