Maine's new governor has made energy conservation, efficiency and alternative energy key themes to his administration, mandating LEED standards for state buildings, increasing hybrid vehicles, use of bio-diesel, and embracing wind farms.
Maine's director of the Office of Energy Independence, Beth A. Nagusky, lists their accomplishments, and summarizes by declaring that "Maine is poised to become the most energy-independent state in the nation."
"In 2003,Gov. Baldacci signed an executive order requiring that all new and renovated state buildings incorporate the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED standards, and Maine became one of the first states in the nation to use biodiesel, a renewable fuel, to heat state office buildings."
"This week launched Operation Keep ME Warm for the third year in a row. This program relies on volunteer teams throughout the state to "winterize" the homes of Maine's most vulnerable citizens, our seniors and persons with disabilities and young children who receive fuel assistance. This includes window treatments, caulk, pipe insulation, plastic, energy-efficient light bulbs and more."
"This week the governor's Omnibus Energy bill takes effect. The legislation creates an 8-cent per gallon excise tax reduction for diesel fuel that contains at least 2 percent biodiesel.
The new law also sets a goal of increasing renewable power in Maine by 10 percent by 2017. Maine is blessed with vast renewable energy resources, including wind, water, wood, solar and tidal.
While our neighbors turn away clean windpower projects, Maine people watch the construction of the Mars Hill wind project with excitement."
Thanks to Joan Saxe via Sierra Club Energy Forum
FULL STORY: Commentary: State's making progress on energy
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