Energy

This week, Vice President Joseph Biden announced that Maine will receive a $30 million grant to fund efficiency projects through the PACE program – legislation we enacted this session.  This was a competitive grant application process and was part of the original ARRA bill the President signed last year.  Maine received the second largest award.
In addition to the $30M federal grant just announced, the Efficiency Maine Trust has set also aside $6M for rebates to make home weatherization more affordable.  
Since the beginning of this year 160 applications for up to $3,000 in rebates have been received by the Efficiency Maine Trust and 60 applications have already been approved.  
With a goal of weatherizing 4,000 home before January 2012 there is plenty of opportunity for your constituents to lower their energy costs.

There is also $41.9M grant for low-income weatherization and heating systems operated by the Maine State Housing Authority and local CAP agencies that is currently being utilized.
As you connect with constituents this summer and fall, be sure to remind them of these opportunities to improve their home’s efficiency. This Legislature, with the help of ARRA funds, has directed significant resources toward assisting Mainers reduce their energy costs.  However, we need to ensure that as many people access those resources as possible.
For more information about efficiency programs, you can visit these two websites:
Efficiency Maine’s website with links to all of their programs: http://www.efficiencymaine.com/
Maine State Housing Authority’s Weatherization Program and Central Heating Improvement Program [Low Income Eligibility]: http://www.mainehousing.org/ENERGYProgramsDetail.aspx?ProgramID=49