News Release

www.efficiencymaine.com                                                     

Contacts:

Governor Baldacci’s Press Office: Lee Umphrey, 287-2531

Efficiency Maine: Susan Benson Tompkins, Marketing Manager, 846-3714

 

 

Governor Presents Cash Incentive Check to Business Owner;

Governor Baldacci Encourages Small Businesses and Contractors to Participate

 

Portland, Maine --  (September 16, 2003) Governor Baldacci presented a cash incentive check today to Aurora Provisions, the first Portland-based business to complete energy efficient  upgrades under the state’s Efficiency Maine Small Business Program.   Marika Green, owner of the gourmet market located in Portland’s West End, received a check for $770 for replacing an outdated and inefficient refrigeration system with new equipment that will not only save energy, but reduce the business’s utility bill.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission began the Efficiency Maine Small Business Program in April 2003 to help Maine business owners save energy and money.  In the case of Aurora Provisions, the former refrigeration equipment did not maintain a consistent temperature and required weekly maintenance.  Now, the new refrigeration equipment has a highly efficient control mechanism for temperature control and defrosting, special doorframes, and insulated Plexiglas dividers.

“Efficiency Maine’s Small Business program promotes wise use of resources while providing economic incentives for small business owners,” remarked Governor John Baldacci.  “This effort is important for our economy and environment, and I encourage business owners to

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participate. The incentives are significant, up to $20,000 per business, and we all ultimately benefit from efficient energy usage.”

The Efficiency Maine Small Business Program is for companies with 50 employees or fewer and offers cash incentives for making a variety of energy efficient upgrades.  Learning how to apply is easy: Call 866-376-2463 or visit efficiencymaine.com on the Web to access product information and program applications.

            Efficiency Maine’s Small Business Program offers information about energy efficient electric products and cash incentives on qualified lighting, HVAC equipment, LED and solid-state exit lights, refrigeration, NEMA PremiumÔ energy efficient motors, and system controls. Applying for incentives is straight forward. Restaurant, convenience store and laundromat owners, commercial landlords, and manufacturers from Madawaska to York have already received cash incentives.

“I encourage any Maine small business owner to visit our Web site or contact the Efficiency Maine program to learn how energy-wise decisions can impact their business’s bottom line,” said Linda Viens, Program Manager. “Depending upon the installation, up to $20,000 can be recovered by a business owner.”

Visit  www.efficiencymaine.com or call 866-376-2463 to learn how to qualify. The deadline is December 31, 2003.