Efficiency Maine Recognized Outstanding Leadership in Energy Efficiency at Annual Event

Efficiency Maine held its Annual Symposium yesterday in Augusta honoring business leaders in Efficiency Maine programs and Maine’s energy efficiency community. Approximately 200 efficiency contractors, stakeholders, and legislators attended the event. Efficiency Maine also awarded the Philip C. Hastings Award to recently retired Maine Public Utilities Chairman Thomas L. Welch for his frequent and influential commitment to energy efficiency.

Participants attended a panel discussion on Maine’s path to affordable home heating led by home performance and heating system professionals. A workshop entitled “Using New “Smart” Technology to Lower Energy Bills for Maine Businesses” highlighted smart meter analytics and advanced controls technology. Patrick Woodcock, Director of the Governor’s Energy Office and Efficiency Maine Trust Board Member, offered his thoughts on the future of energy efficiency in Maine. Michael Stoddard, Executive Director of Efficiency Maine, provided highlights from Efficiency Maine’s work in the past year, including delivering electricity savings at an average levelized cost of 2.3 cents/kWh compared with an average cost of supply of 7 cents/kWh. Stoddard also shared that Efficiency Maine’s programs in FY14 helped Mainers avoid $191,779,901 in wasted energy costs. Efficiency upgrades installed since the Trust started in July, 2010 through the end of FY2014 are projected to lower lifetime energy costs by $964 million and now deliver the equivalent of a 96 MW power plant operating on the hottest day of the summer, accounting for 3% of Maine’s generating capacity during summer peak.

Efficiency Maine’s trade allies are instrumental in helping Mainers access cost-effective energy efficiency and are the drivers of the growing energy efficiency industry in Maine. Yesterday, Efficiency Maine recognized several of these businesses for performance that went above and beyond in connecting Maine businesses and homeowners with energy efficiency incentives. Twenty-five businesses (listed below) were recognized for outstanding leadership in energy efficiency in Efficiency Maine Business Programs, Residential Programs, innovation in the marketplace and for marketing strategies.

Thomas L. Welch was named this year’s recipient of the Philip C. Hastings Award. The Hastings Award recognizes an individual or organization whose exemplary efforts have furthered Maine’s goals of achieving maximum energy efficiency. The Hastings Award is named after Efficiency Maine’s founding director, and celebrates his legacy by memorializing his extraordinary commitment to energy efficiency and leadership. Welch was recognized for his vital role in ushering in a new era for energy efficiency in Maine including overseeing the review and implementation of Efficiency Maine’s Triennial Plan, Long Term Contract, and the Omnibus Energy Bill.

Efficiency Maine is an independent trust dedicated to promoting the efficient and cost-effective use of energy in order to save money for Maine residents and businesses, grow the economy, and create jobs. For more information, visit www.EfficiencyMaine.com or call 1-866-376-2463.
 
Efficiency Maine recognizes these businesses and organizations for outstanding contributions to energy efficiency in Maine.

Efficiency Maine Business Programs
Able Air Corp, Winslow, ME
Atlantic Comfort Systems, Biddeford, ME
BH Milliken, Portland, ME
Gilman Electric Supply, Newport
Horizon Solutions, Bangor, ME
Johnstone Supply, Bangor, ME
Maine Hardware, Portland, ME
Swallow’s Electric, Houlton, ME
Trask Decrow Machinery, Scarborough, ME
Valley Satellite, Patten, ME

Efficiency Maine Residential Programs
Charlie Burnham Heating Services, Freeport, ME
Dave’s World, Dover-Foxcroft, ME
Dead River Company, Scarborough, ME
Evergreen Home Performance, Rockland, ME
Free Energy Maine, Portland, ME
Heat Wise, Wilton, ME
New England Spray Foam Insulation, Biddeford, ME
ReVision Heat, Portland, ME
Walmart, Bentonville, AR

Innovation
Dave’s World, Dover-Foxcroft, ME
Energy Management Consultants, South Portland, ME
Optimal Energy Group, Sumner, ME
Town of Freeport

Marketing
Evergreen Home Performance, Rockland, ME
Maine Energy Systems
Mechanical Services, Portland, ME
Northeast Electric, Portland, ME
Valley Satellite, Patten, ME