 "Protecting
our environment is not a challenge to the economy — it actually protects and
strengthens our economy."— Governor Baldacci
by Ramona du Houx
Anyone with a conscience who watched or
read Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth has to ask what they can do to help turn
around global warming.
A Natural Resources Council of Maine report
said that 20,000-plus acres and 58 miles of roads in 20 towns could end up underwater if
sea levels rose just three feet. Scientific predictions say the oceans could rise 20 feet.
The reality of watching coastal cities sink underwater will happen if nations don’t
work together around the globe. We need to wake up now before the cost in human lives is
too great. Global warming is serious. The scientific evidence on how humans are
contributing to global warming is overwhelming and irrefutable. In America we have become
the most wasteful yet monetarily wealthy society on the planet. Our nation’s
contribution to global warming has to be reversed. We have the means to do it; now we must
have the will power to take action individually and collectively.
Fortunately, Maine has taken significant
measures for the state to become more energy efficient and independent. And the governor
has opened doors for Mainers to take independent action with state aid.
When Governor Baldacci was elected, crude
oil was just over $20 a barrel, and gasoline and heating oil were both less than $1.50 per
gallon.
"He recognized that saving energy and
producing energy from Maine’s vast renewable resources would help create jobs in
Maine and improve air quality," said Beth Negesky form the Maine Office of Energy
Independence and Security.
"When I took office the subject of
energy wasn’t a hot button issue. Even so, I created the Office of Energy
Independence and Security. We must reduce our dependence on increasingly expensive and
polluting fossil fuels, and the best ways to do so are energy conservation, energy
efficiency, and new renewable power resources. My administration has worked hard to
reinstate Maine as a leader in all three areas," said the governor. "We are
excited that the first large wind project is now being constructed in Mars Hill, and that
tidal power and the production of biofuels from Maine’s own renewable resources are
being actively explored."
The governor’s Executive Order of
March 2004 has improved the fuel economy of the state fleet, reduce miles traveled by
state employees, and encouraged use of alternate fuels.
Maine has also led the way in terms of
state policy that encourages combined heat and power (CHP) systems.
"CHP can operate at efficiency levels
of up to 80 and 90 percent," noted the governor. "For a long time, Maine has
recognized the value of rewarding the reuse of the thermal energy from the pulp and paper
industry. Maine was the first and only state to do this for many years. More recently
Maine revamped its clean distributed generation regulations, and we give credit for
thermal energy as part of the environmental permitting process."
Maine is helping some paper companies with
bio-refineries and conducting studies to turn paper company discharge into Ethanol.
Derived from crops, bio-ethanol is a
potentially sustainable energy resource that may offer environmental and long-term
economic advantages over fossil fuel. Ethanol can be used as fuel for automobiles either
alone (E100) in a special engine or as an additive to gasoline.
"The way I see it is there isn’t
any competition between the environment and the economy. If we are smart about it we can
be green by being ‘green’," said Governor Baldacci. "Protecting the
environment helps with economic development. Composite technology developed in Maine is
being used to build windmill blades, in Maine, at GE’s factory — creating fifty
jobs. The blades will be installed at the Mars Hill windmill facility where the wind will
provide clean energy. Protecting our environment is not a challenge to the economy —
it actually protects and strengthens our economy."
Governor Baldacci talks with employees
and Commissioner Martin from Maine State Fishers and Wildlife, thanking them for their
continued hard work.
Maine
state government is leading by example:
— Over the past
three years the state has nearly tripled the number of hybrid vehicles in the fleet. The
state has saved nearly 300,000 gallons of fuel and reduced state travel by 2.3 percent.
— The state has
expanded the GOMAINE vanpool program over 100 percent, has implemented preferential
parking at state offices for carpools, vanpools, and hybrid vehicles.
— The state purchases
30 percent to 40 percent of its electricity from renewable power resources.
— The state uses a
biodiesel blend to heat 20 state office buildings, including the State Office Building and
the Capitol.
— Maine is the first
state to measure and track greenhouse gas emissions from state energy use. Under Governor
Baldacci's plan, Maine has reduced state government’s emissions by eight percent in
two years.
— The state saved $4 million by putting
Maine’s electricity purchase out to bid.
Addressing
Climate Change—
Maine is one of only two states
having a legislative commitment to specific greenhouse gas reduction goals. The state and
a large group of stakeholders developed a Climate Change Action Plan to meet those goals;
several of the 54 strategies are already being implemented, including adoption of
greenhouse gas emissions standards starting with model year 2009 motor vehicles.
By January 2006, the Governor’s Carbon
Challenge had recruited more than 54 businesses, organizations and communities to
voluntarily set carbon reduction goals.
In December of 2005 Governor John Baldacci
announced Maine’s partnership in an important multi-state agreement to reduce
regional greenhouse gas emissions. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) will
create the first mandatory cap-and-trade system for carbon dioxide emissions in U.S.
history, utilizing credits or allowances to limit the total amount of emissions.
"This agreement protects the health
and welfare of our citizens," said Governor Baldacci. "Nothing is more important
than protecting the air our children breathe and the water our children drink. Maine is
leading by example to protect our energy and environmental resources, and RGGI is another
crucial step."
"It’s important to move forward
on RGGI now," said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner David Littell.
"Climate change is occurring now."
Under the RGGI agreement, emissions of
carbon dioxide from power plants in the region would be capped at current levels starting
in 2009, with states then reducing emissions incrementally over a four-year period to
achieve a 10 percent reduction by 2019. Any price impacts of this program are expected to
be minimal. It also is anticipated that RGGI will generate significant new investments in
innovative and cleaner technologies and energy efficiency, which could lower electricity
rates.
Maine’s efforts to address global
climate change were honored in New York City when Clean Air–Cool Planet, an
environmental group, presented Governor John Baldacci with a "climate champion"
award. "The governor has been active in making climate an issue ... he and Maine have
been willing to be seen as an example — Maine is doing it and talking about it,"
said Bill Burtis of CACP.
The Governor’s
’06 Omnibus Energy Bill—
The governor
outlines his energy bill at Maine's first Biodiesel dealer Frountier Energy. The bill
gives a tax break for bio-diesel use amoung revolutionary energy measures. - photo
by Jack Cashman
"For the past 3 years we have used
biodiesel to heat state buildings. We wanted to make Maine a leader and help create a
market in Maine for this renewable fuel that is produced in the U.S. And, we have,"
said Governor Baldacci. "Biodiesel is good for our economy and it is good for the
environment."
Biodiesel is a fuel that can be produced
from waste vegetable oil, soybeans, mustard seeds, or other agricultural products mixed
with diesel. Harmful emissions start to drop significantly when biodiesel is used instead
of pure diesel. Almost any modern diesel engine or diesel-powered furnace can run on any
proportion of biodiesel. New research is being conducted in biodiesel which could make it
the fuel of the future. Crops that could be used might be grown in Maine.
The governor’s Omnibus Energy Bill of
2006 states that the excise tax for motor fuel containing at least 2 percent biodiesel
will be reduced by 7.9 cents.
The groundbreaking energy bill
also:
— Sets a goal of increasing
new renewable power resources in Maine by 10 percent by 2017.
— Allows the Maine Public
Utilities Commission (PUC) to purchase energy conservation and efficiency resources just
like it purchases energy supply resources from traditional power plants.
— Establishes a means for the
Maine PUC to sign long-term contracts with energy conservation providers, renewable energy
providers and other generators, with preference for those who produce no greenhouse gases.
These measures help promote business growth
within energy industries that are environmentally friendly, making Maine more energy
independent.
"The energy bill gives the Public
Utilities Commission the tools to reduce and stabilize electricity prices," said Beth
Nagusky, director of the Office of Energy Independence. "Maine is blessed with vast
renewable energy resources, including wind, water, wood, solar, and tidal. Maine is poised
to become the most energy-independent state in the nation."
Promoting
Tidal Power—
"Creating a more
sustainable energy future for Maine has been a top priority of my administration,"
said Governor Baldacci. "Some of Maine’s greatest economic assets are the vast
renewable energy resources we have right here at home."
In a yearlong study, the Electric Power
Research Institute concluded that Maine is an excellent location for tidal power.
Electricity produced by tidal power in Maine would be competitively priced with wind and
natural gas, and less expensive than clean coal and solar. And, like wind and solar,
capturing energy from the tides emits no greenhouse gases.
The study focused on the Western Passage in
Passamaquoddy Bay, where twice a day the tide rises and falls 20 feet — the greatest
tide change in the continental United States.
Tidal-powered turbines are similar to wind
turbines, but move more slowly underwater. The greater density of water means that fewer
turbines are needed to produce the same amount of electricity as wind turbines. Tides are
also more predictable than winds.
"Maine has a world-class tidal
resource that will produce electricity at a cost of 4.2 to 6.5 cents per
kilowatt-hour," said Roger Bedard, the EPRI study project leader. "This resource
is better than many we studied and will produce lower cost electricity as a result."
"Harnessing the energy from
Maine’s big tides in an environmentally friendly manner will reduce our dependence on
imported fossil fuels and will create jobs in the state," said Nagusky.
Two preliminary permits have been filed
with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission while potential developers study the tidal
resource in the Penobscot and Kennebec Rivers. Interest in the tidal energy resource in
the Cutler area has also been expressed.
Promoting
Wind Power—
"Introducing wind power will
help with fuel diversity, price stability, and energy independence," said Governor
Baldacci.
Wind technology uses no fuel, creates
neither air nor water pollution, and does not contribute to global warming.
Some wind power projects proposed in Maine:
• In Aroostook County, a Bangor-based
group plans to erect 30 turbines on Mars Hill.
• A Freeport company is installing six
test towers in the St. John Valley to collect wind data to help them decide whether to
proceed with plans for a wind farm.
• The Passamaquoddy Tribe received
permits to erect two meteorological towers on its tribal lands in Somerset and Washington
counties in anticipation of a wind power project.
Promoting
Hydrogen Power—
To further expand hydrogen technologies in
Maine, the governor created by executive order, in August, a partnership to accelerate
commercially viable hydrogen production and fuel cells.
"Hydrogen represents a huge growth
industry, and the creation of this partnership will put Maine on the leading edge as this
industry expands," said the governor.
"The partnership will speed the
development and deployment of commercially viable hydrogen production, storage and
distribution technologies; analyze opportunities to leverage federal research and
development funds and other funding sources; and stimulate development of private firms
that will build energy and fuel cell technology products at facilities located in
Maine."
How can you or your
company help save the environment while saving money?—
Ways in which the people of Maine and
Maine companies can participate in combating global warming have been introduced by the
governor.
"We have put forward programs and
policies to make the entire state more energy independent and secure, including: tax
credits for production of biofuels in Maine; rebates for purchasing and installing solar
electric, hot air, and hot water systems; energy conservation programs for natural gas
users; a model residential energy building code; and incentives for oil dealers to offer
low-income customers lower fuel prices," said the governor.
The Solar Rebate Program—
The governor helps turn on solar
panels to light his office. The rebate program is a great success.
In one day Naoto Inoue, president of
SolarMarket, a solar systems installer based in Arundel, Maine, managed to sell three
solar thermal systems and one solar electric system. And he’s sure it’s all
thanks to a new solar rebate program signed by the governor the week before.
"People have been really waiting for
something like this," Inoue said. Previously Inoue had been selling on average three
systems a month.
The new law gives Maine one of the
nation’s most aggressive state programs to encourage the use of solar energy. The
rebate covers approximately 25 percent of the cost, including installation, of the
average-sized residential or small business solar electric or solar thermal system. An
income tax credit is available for the installation of solar hot water systems.
"Going solar is about becoming more
energy independent," said Governor Baldacci.
For a solar water heating system with an
estimated cost of $5,000, the rebate would be $1,250. For a $24,000 solar electric system
that has an installed capacity of 2,400 watts, the rebate would be $6,400.
Maine’s
Clean Car Program—
"With the stroke of a pen, Governor
Baldacci has taken a step forward in cleaning up our major source of smog and global
warming pollution — cars and trucks," said Sue Jones, Energy Project director
for the Natural Resources Council of Maine during the bill singing of Maine’s Clean
Car program last year.
The
governor stands with Adam Lee of Lee Motors before the signing of his clean car bill.
The law increases the availability of the
cleanest cars, such as hybrid gas-electric vehicles, for Mainers.
"My customers have had to wait for 3
to 18 months for many of the hybrid vehicles because the demand is so great. This law will
make the cars more available," said Adam Lee, president of Lee Auto Malls. "I
want the next generation in Maine to appreciate Maine as much as I have been able to. The
more people that purchase environmentally friendly cars, the more we are helping the
future of our state. I commend the governor for his leadership."
The governor stood up to heavy-handed car
lobbyists who did not want him to proceed to use the Clean Car program in Maine.
With this legislation Maine joined six
other states in protecting its citizens from the harmful effects of smog and air toxins.
The Cleaner Cars program has been shown by Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use
Management (NESCAUM) to reduce smog formation and cancer by up to 30 percent.
Under the Cleaner Car standards, about 11
percent of new cars sold in Maine will be either hybrid gas-electric or the cleanest
gasoline-powered cars.
Maine’s E-Waste
Recycling Program—
The state has drawn attention as a national
and international role model on how it is dealing with e-waste. Electronics waste is a
global problem. Many obsolete products in the United States are shipped overseas where
they eventually end up in a landfill or disposed of by burning. That’s why taking
care of the problem at home is paramount.
Lead and mercury are two of the most
hazardous materials contained in computer monitors and television sets, which also contain
chromium, brominated flame-retardant, as well as a host of other toxic chemicals. A
typical TV or computer monitor contains about five pounds of lead.
The improper disposal or burning of any of
these modern devices presents a significant environmental hazard, from ground water to air
quality. In Maine alone, an estimated 400,000 obsolete computers, monitors and televisions
are stockpiled. Each year over 100,000 of these high-tech devices are thrown away.
• Maine is one of just three
states in the country to get out ahead on the issue with e-waste legislation.
• Maine is the FIRST state in
the nation to make manufacturers pay their share of the recycling costs.
The law calls for manufacturers, consumers,
and municipalities to share the cost of recycling these electronic devices.
Since January 1, 2006, e-waste can no
longer be collected as regular trash, and manufacturers who sell electronics products in
Maine must have an approved plan for how they will participate in electronics recycling.
Maine’s plan is being praised for its flexibility and
convenience to the consumer. It’s easy — simply take an obsolete electronic item
to a town facility or a regional site and pay no fee, or in some cases a minimal fee.
Other environmental measures
taken with the governor:
— Maine has received nearly $3
million during the past three years through Maine's Landowner Incentive Program. LIP works
with private property owners to preserve high-value habitat that supports rare plant and
animal species.
— Mercury reduction laws of
2006 require more effective collection of thermometers and household switches, and ban the
sale of mercury-added button-cell batteries.
— To reduce storm-water
pollution, new laws promote the use of "best management practices," new
technology, and improved development designs.
— To prevent lead poisoning,
Maine established a funding mechanism for education, and outreach materials and programs
that will help reduce health threats to children and workers.
— A grant program will fund
retrofits that will reduce unhealthy pollution from school-bus engines, and anti-idling
practices are being promoted.
— Coordinating school
clean-outs: Chemical clean-out programs in 72 schools resulted in the removal of 681
pounds of mercury as well as other hazardous materials.
— Maine has been aggressive
about preventing the infestation of invasive aquatic species like Eurasian milfoil. Last
year, over 40,000 courtesy boat inspections were conducted, up from only a few thousand
three years ago. 2005 was the first year when there were no new infestations of Maine
lakes.
— Maine enacted a law banning
sales of products containing two types of brominated flame-retardants.
— New legislation encourages
municipalities to join or establish regional systems to handle the collection of household
hazardous waste.
— Eliminating tire stockpiles:
14 million tires have been removed from 12 stockpile sites; many were beneficially reused
in construction projects.
— Developed sophisticated
dioxin testing: A methodology was established enabling scientists to determine that
Maine’s paper mills are no longer discharging dioxin.
— Reduced exposure to arsenic: In 2003, Maine
banned the sale of arsenic-treated wood for residential use, notably exterior housing work
and children’s play sets.
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