Maine should seize the opportunity to launch a bold, 10-year effort to lower energy costs and create thousands of good-paying jobs for its citizens. This will require an integrated package of reforms, based on the most successful federal and state practices.

Raise standards to create demand for efficiency and renewable energy
* Implement an Energy Efficiency Resource Standard to create the goals and funding mechanisms to make our built environment 30% more efficient over 10 years
* Require energy audits in every building, with reasonable exceptions.
* Create high professional standards for efficiency work, to translate theoretical savings into reality
* Raise efficiency standards for appliances to lower costs for residents and businesses
* Increase efficiency standards for public buildings and public and subsidized housing
* Ensure that state government’s vehicle fleet fuel economy standards are enforced
* Raise Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard by an additional 13% by 2017

Streamline and expand existing efficiency programs to meet standards and create jobs
* Re-channel 6% of energy spending over the next ten years to make every building in the state at least 30% more efficient
* Use bonding and other strategies to front-load investment and lower energy bills quickly
* Leverage federal government, forward capacity market and private market funds
* Preserve existing RGGI regime while integrating it with other energy programs
* Develop programs to provide audits, technical assistance, grants and loans to help all consumer classes realize cost-effective energy savings
* Address the unique needs and challenges of the residential, commercial, industrial, MUSH (municipalities, universities, schools & hospitals) and public sectors.

Operationalize efficiency investments through an Energy Efficiency Utility

* Draw on successful models such as Efficiency Vermont and Energy Trust of Oregon
* Give the entity powers of a public body to allow bonding, but administer through a nonprofit, hired through a competitive bidding process
* Centralize programs, information and responsibility for meeting efficiency goals
* Maximize transparency and accountability
* Set challenging goals that require service to virtually every resident and business over 10 years.

Invest in and strengthen workforce development, research and development
* Invest 1% of program funds in grants to help industry stakeholders plan for and meet workforce needs
* Invest 4% of program funds in direct support for skills training, emphasizing training of low-income and out-of-work people
* Invest 1% of program funds in new energy research and development to develop cost effective technologies and develop Maine’s new energy industry
* Leverage federal and private funds for workforce development and R&D
* Focus on developing industry clusters and industry partnerships
* Utilize all training resources, including adult education, career and technical education, and apprenticeships
* Structure training regimes to provide career pathways, so workers can acquire additional skills and earning power in manageable increments
* Require contractors receiving public funds to pay competitive wages and benefits and to make best efforts to hire locally and to coordinate with training programs

Continue pursuit of utility-scale renewable energy generation and related manufacturing
* Retain focus on removing permitting and interconnection barriers.
* Avoid wasteful public subsidies
* Leverage Maine’s wind potential, composite industry innovation, transportation infrastructure and skilled workforce to develop a turbine component manufacturing industry in Down East and Mid-Coast Maine.