Maine Recognized as National Leader in Weatherization

Press Release

U.S. Department of Energy officials met with Governor John E. Baldacci today to recognize the local, State, nonprofit and education partners in their successful efforts to make energy efficiency improvements to Maine homes. With federal support, the State of Maine has been taking steps to achieve ambitious energy efficiency and energy independence goals.

"Maine is in the process of realizing our commitment to improve the energy efficiency of 100 percent of homes and half of businesses by 2030," said Governor Baldacci. "We know our goals in Maine are ambitious, but we also know what is at stake."

The Governor said, "We have some of the oldest housing in the country. We have one of the coldest climates. And we are dependent on imported heating oil. Maine residents and businesses can not afford to pay such substantial resources for fossil fuels that are insecure, expensive, contribute to global warming, and often come from countries that are hostile to American interests."

Recent awards by the federal Department of Energy are enabling the State to create home energy savings, jobs and significantly reduce carbon emissions through the State's building retrofit industry.

Maine is one of the states that achieved the Department of Energy's 30 percent goal to weatherize homes, enabling the State to receive the full $41.9 million in weatherization funding established under the federal Recovery Act. The Governor said that MaineHousing's long experience with the Department's Weatherization Assistance Program and the partnerships it has established with the State's Community Action Agencies were key factors in helping the State achieve that goal.

The U.S. Department of Energy has provided additional key funds to help Maine. In the spring, Maine was awarded $30 million through the Ramp-Up initiative, among the largest in the country. That award enabled the State to kick-start its PACE initiative to help Maine property owners to make affordable energy efficiency upgrades to their homes and businesses.

In addition, on Friday the U.S. Department of Energy provided $880,000 of Recovery Act funds to enable Maine to grow our weatherization training programs. The State partners with community colleges to train new and existing weatherization auditors and technicians.

"This is an important part of Maine's weatherization programs: growing jobs," said Governor Baldacci.

The Governor was joined today by Gil Sperling, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy; John Kerry, Director of Maine's Office of Energy Independence and Security; Dale McCormick, Director of MaineHousing; Michael Stoddard, Executive Director of the Efficiency Maine Trust; and representatives of Kennebec Valley Community College and the Kennebec Valley Community Action Agency.

The Governor recognized the support from these and other groups working toward energy independence, saying, "Our partners are why Maine is taking a leading role in making our homes and businesses more energy efficient. The hard work of these partners, including the Maine State Legislature and Maine's Congressional delegation, is critical as we build a greener, more energy efficient future that benefits Maine families and our economy."

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