PUC Launches State-wide Electric Energy Efficiency Programs

Programs to Reduce Energy Costs and Identify Savings Opportunities

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is launching several statewide electric energy efficiency programs this month in response to a new law effective in April. The Legislature directed the PUC to design and implement programs to promote efficient electricity use throughout Maine. The programs announced today will be funded through current electric rates.

In addition to providing the training and equipment to allow customers to use electricity more efficiently, these programs are designed also to raise consumer awareness of energy efficiency, create favorable market conditions for efficient products, promote sustainable economic development, and reduce environmental damage associated with inefficient electricity use. “Efficiency programs are an important addition to the services we provide consumers,” said Tom Welch, PUC Chairman. ”They help control electric costs, and benefit both the economy and the environment.”

The PUC has developed an initial set of efficiency programs that can be implemented quickly. The Commission is also developing, with substantial public input, longer term programs that will be implemented in 2003.

PUC Initiates First Five Interim Efficiency Programs

The first programs implemented under the new law include:

Low-Income Refrigerator Replacement Program. This program saves electricity by replacing old, inefficient refrigerators for qualifying low-income households. It is part of an existing low-income efficiency program operated by the Maine State Housing Authority and local Community Action Program (CAP) agencies. The PUC has granted up to $300,000 to this program.

Small Business Energy Conservation Loan Program. This program re-capitalizes an existing loan program operated by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) with $200,000. The DECD program helps small Maine businesses be competitive by providing low interest loans for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient equipment.

Building Operator Certification. This eight-month program trains school building operators in Maine. The program provides attendees with the tools and knowledge to reduce energy costs by increasing the efficiency of their buildings and operations. Programs are being offered in Bangor and Portland, and in Houlton and Presque Isle.

Maine Energy Education Program (MEEP). MEEP provides workshops and materials to students, teachers and other school personnel on improving energy efficiency at home and in school. The PUC is granting $50,000 for MEEP to continue operating for this school year.

Maine Energy Curriculum Investigation. The PUC has commissioned the Maine Math and Science Alliance to form a task force to consider the most effective way to deliver energy education to Maine schools. Several models exist or have been proposed for Maine. The task force will make recommendations to the PUC for permanent programs.

Broad Range of Consumers to Benefit

The efficiency law requires that the portfolio of efficiency programs benefit a broad range of consumers, including residential, commercial, and industrial consumers, with special targets for low-income residential customers and small businesses. The PUC is developing additional efficiency programs that it expects to implement this winter, including a residential efficient lighting program.

The efficiency programs are supported through current electric rates. Central Maine Power, Maine’s largest electric utility, collects about 0.15 cents per kilowatt-hour (on average) to fund conservation programs. Bangor Hydro-Electric and Maine Public Service collect about 0.03 cents per kilowatt-hour. The PUC has concluded that maintaining current efficiency program collection levels, pending completion of a study that is now underway, allows for a reasonable level of early programming while keeping rates at current levels.

Extensive Stakeholder Input Solicited

Many stakeholders provided input to the PUC in the development of the interim programs. Phil Hastings, director of the PUC's efficiency team, said “We appreciate the active participation of so many parties in guiding us to our first efficiency programs. While many difficult and complex issues must be resolved before we have fully implemented the new electricity efficiency law, we believe we have been able, even for these early programs, to implement the legislative intent.”

For more information on Maine’s interim efficiency programs, or to learn more about or get involved in development of longer-term efficiency programs, contact the PUC at 287-3831 or toll-free at 1-800-452-4699, or visit the PUC website at http://www.state.me.us/mpuc.

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For more information: (http://www.state.me.us/mpuc/electric_conservation/electricconservation.htm)

All PUC News Releases maybe found on our website at: http://www.state.me.us/mpuc/newsreleases2002.htm

To arrange an interview with Chairman Welch or Commissioners Nugent or Diamond, please contact Phillip Lindley at 207.287.1598 or by e-mail at phil.lindley@state.me.us. The Commission’s website may be accessed through the Maine School and Library Network at all public libraries in Maine.