In The News

PUC Approves Transmission Alternative for Midcoast

This pilot is the first of its kind in Maine and is designed to test the use of non-transmission alternatives as a way to avoid building an $18 million upgrade to a transmission line in the region. These alternatives can include energy efficiency, demand response, in which businesses turn off unnecessary equipment at times of peak use, and renewable and non-renewable generation.

New Program Provides Low-interest Loans for Weatherization Projects

PowerSaver will pay for insulating, tightening up homes, upgrades to heating systems and other steps to make houses warmer and more energy efficient. The Power Saver program provides loans of up to 25-thousand dollars, at a 4.99 percent interest rate, and it's available to all homeowners in Maine who meet their credit requirements. In addition, projects must reduce energy consumption and cost by a minimum of 20%.

Home Tour Offers Glimpse of Benefits from Insulation

Dickens gave his tour just hours before Efficiency Maine debuted a companion PowerSaver program, a pilot loan initiative of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It offers loans of up to $25,000, which can be used to do weatherization, door and window replacement, efficient heating systems and water heaters, as well as solar and geothermal systems and Energy Star metal or asphalt roofs.

2011 Year In Review

We delivered programs that will save a total of $449 million in lifetime energy savings. In other words, Maine businesses and homeowners would spend an additional $449 million in present and future energy costs if it were not for Efficiency Maine programs from this past year. 

Maine on the Right Track with Energy Efficiency

Energy costs are on a lot of minds in Maine these days, and for good reason. Oil prices are dangerously high and electricity costs are an issue for many businesses. While oil prices are determined globally, and our electricity rates generally rise and fall in response to natural gas prices, there are lots of ways Maine homeowners and businesses can reduce their energy costs.

New York Times Article Spurs Maine's Weatherization Industry to Action

Hometown Energy owner Ike Libby said Monday night that Americans have sent his company more than $100,000 since it was mentioned Saturday in a front-page article in the The New York Times on Mainers struggling to heat their homes this winter.

PowerWise Wins Competitive Grant Award

Efficiency Maine has awarded PowerWise of Blue Hill a grant for a program that will test whether homeowners use less energy if they know more about their energy consumption.Homeowners will track their energy use for one year, and PowerWise and a team from the University of Maine will analyze and report on the data.

Round 2 Funding Opportunity - Competitive Grant Program

Efficiency Maine is accepting incentive applications from commercial, municipal and non-profit organizations across Maine for the second round of its Competitive Program. Under this program, Maine businesses are able to compete for a portion of $2.5 million to fund large electrical energy efficiency and distributed generation projects. Funding for projects ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 per facility, and require at least 50% matching funds. 

Good Shephard CFL Program

Efficiency Maine has partnered with the Good Shepherd Food Bank to distribute more than 200,000 energy saving compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs to low income Mainers.

Efficiency Maine Launches Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling Program

The new year arrives with a fresh opportunity for Maine residents to save energy, save money and receive a $50 rebate for recycling their outdated refrigerators and freezers. Efficiency Maine’s new program encourages Mainers using older, extra refrigerators or freezers to consider the many benefits of recycling them. Participation is as easy as visiting Efficiency Maine online at http://www.efficiencymaine.com/at-home/refrigerator-recycling-program to schedule a free pick–up while funding for this program lasts.

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