April 22, 2009 Reported By: Tom Porter

The state of Maine could cut it energy bills by at least $10 billion and create over 10,000 jobs by the year 2020, if it embraces a bold new energy policy. That’s the gist of a new report released today – on Earth Day – by Opportunity Maine. The public interest, non-profit research group says a comprehensive economic, energy and work force development plan could also generate $300 million a year in market opportunities for Maine businesses.

“It is hard to focus on concern for the environment or climate change given the state of our economy, given the challenges we face here in Maine and nationally,” says Rob Brown, Executive Director of Opportunity Maine.

The report, he says, sets a goal for Maine to meet at least 30 percent of its energy needs through efficiency measures by 2020. “One of the ways that we can address those challenges is to address our energy crisis here in Maine. We have some of the highest and most volatile energy prices in the country. We are the most reliant on heating oil of any state in the country – 80% of our homes are reliant on heating oil – we have the oldest housing stock in the nation, we also have the lowest incomes in New England.”

Put all this together, he says, and it means Mainers are facing real challenges when it comes to meeting their energy costs and taking care of their families – never mind the environment.

This latest report, says Brown, takes a look across the nation, to see what lessons can be learned when it comes to establishing a viable green economy. One good example, he says, is the state of Oregon, where policymakers have achieved phenomenal growth in the green sector by creating a skilled workforce through apprenticeships.

There were also lessons on how not to build a green economy. Brown says a lot states experimented unsuccessfully with loan programs to try and encourage more investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Those programs, he says, have been shown not to work, as people and businesses at the moment are reluctant to add more debt. “We also have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity right now with the federal stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.”

Creating a bold energy policy for Maine, says Brown, is not just about weatherizing homes, although that is important – it’s about creating an economy that can sustain itself once the federal economic stimulus money has run out. “We cannot just simply rely on that. If we do, that’s an economic sugar rush and a subsequent crash. We need to plan for the long haul.”

Planning for the long haul is also what Bob Howe is advocating. He’s director of the Maine Association of Building Efficiency Professionals. “You know, the two-year shot in the arm of stimulus money is fine as far as it goes, but what’s really needed is a long-term plan by the Legislature, including financial incentives for homeowners and businesses.”

“I think down the road it would be a good program, but I don’t think it’s going to create jobs right off the bat, is what Maine needs right now,” says Bob St. Onge. The Augusta resident was among the building contractors attending the Opportunity Maine conference to see how he might benefit from the report’s proposals.

But, he says, it’s hard to think of the long-haul at the moment. “I think everybody’s on the same page as far they want to create jobs. It’s a projection that’s maybe three or four years down the road, and Maine’s hurting now.”

Gary Curtis from Newport has been looking for work since November when he lost his job as a sewing machine mechanic at a factory in Pittsfield. “I came down just to see what the opportunities were for me to make a living.” He hopes to benefit from the expected growth in green jobs. “I just got finished with the Maine State Housing home energy auditors course, finished last Friday. Hopefully I passed the test, I haven’t found out yet.”

The Legislature’s Joint Select Committee recently decided to effectively ditch three proposals dealing with Maine’s energy future, and write a new bill from scratch. Opportunity Maine hopes its latest report will provide examples and guidelines for those lawmakers as they craft new legislation.