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Just a decade ago, the issues of energy use and conservation were topics left to engineers and environmentalists. The questions concerning where our energy came from, and what its toll was on the environment, were relegated to political debates on Capitol Hill or discussed in scientific journals. Few people, including myself, asked the more personal question, “What should my role and responsibility be when it comes to energy policy?”
But now, a few years later, an increased awareness of climate change and its connection to carbon emissions and electricity generation places all electricity users, small or large, in the midst of an incredibly important national debate. What are appropriate sources of electricity? What should be done to ensure that energy is used more efficiently?
As we pursue answers, we need first to look inward at our own actions and electricity use, and consider ways to change. Because, the truth is, that while our cumulative actions have contributed to the current crisis, our individual choices together also present the solution.
In Maine, the majority of electricity consumed comes from the burning of two fossil fuels, natural gas and oil, which release about 2 million tons of carbon dioxide into the air each year. In addition, Maine’s annual electricity use traditionally has increased by approximately 2% each year. These two facts together place Maine in an awkward position. In order to meet growing demand and sustain an electricity-centered community and economy, Maine must either generate more electricity or come up with ways to control our electricity consumption without hindering the economy.
To that end, in 2002 the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the legislature created Efficiency Maine to promote the more efficient use of electricity, help Maine residents and businesses reduce energy costs, and improve Maine’s environment. Since its creation, Efficiency Maine efforts have been extremely successful in reducing electrical energy consumption. In fact, we estimate that the lifetime benefits of Efficiency Maine have saved 1,231,241 kilowatt hours—equivalent to $86,609,036—averting the production of nearly 321,000 tons of CO2.
Efficiency Maine works by presenting electricity consumers with straightforward, cost-effective solutions to energy efficiency. More than one million compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) have been purchased in Maine as a result of Efficiency Maine’s incentive program. CFLs give off high-quality light using a fraction of the electricity traditional lights use. One million CFLs in Maine homes represents a savings of more than $46 million in electricity costs during the lifetime of the bulb and the elimination of 194,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere—which is equivalent to taking more than 33,000 cars off the road for a year.
While one million bulbs may sound impressive, consider the fact that there are more than 500,000 homes in Maine with an average of 30 light sockets (you can do the math). It’s clear. We still have a lot of energy to save. In fact, if everyone in the U.S. replaced their traditional lights with compact fluorescent lights, we could retire 90 average-size power plants.
CFLs contain trace amounts of mercury and therefore necessitate special handling. It’s important to note that this small amount of mercury does not outweigh the environmental benefits of switching to CFLs to reduce electricity use. The PUC plans to launch a statewide recycling program with various retailers. You can ask your local hardware store if they are accepting CFLs for recycling, or visit the website efficiencymaine.com for a list of participating locations and more information on CFLs.
Efficiency Maine also brings energy efficiency into the workplace by providing incentives and technical expertise to businesses struggling with electricity bills. To date, more than 800 businesses have sought assistance from Efficiency Maine and as a result have made substantive lighting upgrades, improved motor and machinery efficiency, and purchased better air conditioning. Last year alone, the program saved Maine businesses more than $23 million.
However, it is important to note that energy efficiency is just part of the solution to reducing Maine’s carbon emissions and curbing climate change. We also need to look at the source of electricity we use. We need to expand the demand for clean energy in Maine as a means to build a more sustainable clean energy market, and reduce carbon emissions. The legislature and the PUC have undertaken the task of promoting clean energy as a means to reach this goal. One major initiative in this direction is 10,000 Carbon Free Homes, which in three easy steps allows people to calculate the carbon emissions released into the air from their home’s energy use; find out what to do to reduce energy use through efficiency; and sign up for clean energy supply or purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) to offset their household’s carbon emissions.
Clean energy supply is available as an alternative to the standard offer for electricity (the majority of which is generated by burning fossil fuels) and is generated with zero carbon emissions. Currently, clean energy supply now comes from the only Low Impact Hydro Institute-certified small hydropower dam in the state of Maine—the Worumbo Dam in Lisbon Falls. The goal of 10,000 Carbon Free Homes is, in part, to help fund the production of more such clean energy sources. Hence, the opportunity to purchase RECs. These certificates, like the one for the Mars Hill wind farm, support the development of clean energy projects by helping offset the initial costs associated with building a wind farm or constructing a hydropower dam.
This program is voluntary, of course. So, too, was the decision by Maine businesses to make changes that saved $23 million in energy costs last year, or the homeowners who chose to take the equivalent of 33,000 cars’ worth of CO2 from the air by purchasing compact fluorescent lights. Good decisions, multiplied, can change everything.
As the national energy debate continues, it’s important to know that you have answers to the question, “What is my role and responsibility when it comes to energy efficiency?” Hopefully, the PUC has helped make the solutions to climate change something each of us living here in Maine can and will take ownership in.
Kurt Adams is chairman of the Maine Public Utilities Commission. For more information, log on to www.efficiencymaine.com and www.10000carbonfreehomes.com.
But now, a few years later, an increased awareness of climate change and its connection to carbon emissions and electricity generation places all electricity users, small or large, in the midst of an incredibly important national debate. What are appropriate sources of electricity? What should be done to ensure that energy is used more efficiently?
As we pursue answers, we need first to look inward at our own actions and electricity use, and consider ways to change. Because, the truth is, that while our cumulative actions have contributed to the current crisis, our individual choices together also present the solution.
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In Maine, the majority of electricity consumed comes from the burning of two fossil fuels, natural gas and oil, which release about 2 million tons of carbon dioxide into the air each year. In addition, Maine’s annual electricity use traditionally has increased by approximately 2% each year. These two facts together place Maine in an awkward position. In order to meet growing demand and sustain an electricity-centered community and economy, Maine must either generate more electricity or come up with ways to control our electricity consumption without hindering the economy.
To that end, in 2002 the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the legislature created Efficiency Maine to promote the more efficient use of electricity, help Maine residents and businesses reduce energy costs, and improve Maine’s environment. Since its creation, Efficiency Maine efforts have been extremely successful in reducing electrical energy consumption. In fact, we estimate that the lifetime benefits of Efficiency Maine have saved 1,231,241 kilowatt hours—equivalent to $86,609,036—averting the production of nearly 321,000 tons of CO2.
Efficiency Maine works by presenting electricity consumers with straightforward, cost-effective solutions to energy efficiency. More than one million compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) have been purchased in Maine as a result of Efficiency Maine’s incentive program. CFLs give off high-quality light using a fraction of the electricity traditional lights use. One million CFLs in Maine homes represents a savings of more than $46 million in electricity costs during the lifetime of the bulb and the elimination of 194,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere—which is equivalent to taking more than 33,000 cars off the road for a year.
While one million bulbs may sound impressive, consider the fact that there are more than 500,000 homes in Maine with an average of 30 light sockets (you can do the math). It’s clear. We still have a lot of energy to save. In fact, if everyone in the U.S. replaced their traditional lights with compact fluorescent lights, we could retire 90 average-size power plants.
CFLs contain trace amounts of mercury and therefore necessitate special handling. It’s important to note that this small amount of mercury does not outweigh the environmental benefits of switching to CFLs to reduce electricity use. The PUC plans to launch a statewide recycling program with various retailers. You can ask your local hardware store if they are accepting CFLs for recycling, or visit the website efficiencymaine.com for a list of participating locations and more information on CFLs.
Efficiency Maine also brings energy efficiency into the workplace by providing incentives and technical expertise to businesses struggling with electricity bills. To date, more than 800 businesses have sought assistance from Efficiency Maine and as a result have made substantive lighting upgrades, improved motor and machinery efficiency, and purchased better air conditioning. Last year alone, the program saved Maine businesses more than $23 million.
However, it is important to note that energy efficiency is just part of the solution to reducing Maine’s carbon emissions and curbing climate change. We also need to look at the source of electricity we use. We need to expand the demand for clean energy in Maine as a means to build a more sustainable clean energy market, and reduce carbon emissions. The legislature and the PUC have undertaken the task of promoting clean energy as a means to reach this goal. One major initiative in this direction is 10,000 Carbon Free Homes, which in three easy steps allows people to calculate the carbon emissions released into the air from their home’s energy use; find out what to do to reduce energy use through efficiency; and sign up for clean energy supply or purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) to offset their household’s carbon emissions.
Clean energy supply is available as an alternative to the standard offer for electricity (the majority of which is generated by burning fossil fuels) and is generated with zero carbon emissions. Currently, clean energy supply now comes from the only Low Impact Hydro Institute-certified small hydropower dam in the state of Maine—the Worumbo Dam in Lisbon Falls. The goal of 10,000 Carbon Free Homes is, in part, to help fund the production of more such clean energy sources. Hence, the opportunity to purchase RECs. These certificates, like the one for the Mars Hill wind farm, support the development of clean energy projects by helping offset the initial costs associated with building a wind farm or constructing a hydropower dam.
This program is voluntary, of course. So, too, was the decision by Maine businesses to make changes that saved $23 million in energy costs last year, or the homeowners who chose to take the equivalent of 33,000 cars’ worth of CO2 from the air by purchasing compact fluorescent lights. Good decisions, multiplied, can change everything.
As the national energy debate continues, it’s important to know that you have answers to the question, “What is my role and responsibility when it comes to energy efficiency?” Hopefully, the PUC has helped make the solutions to climate change something each of us living here in Maine can and will take ownership in.
Kurt Adams is chairman of the Maine Public Utilities Commission. For more information, log on to www.efficiencymaine.com and www.10000carbonfreehomes.com.
