Energy Efficiency Bill working it’s way through State House

Exciting stuff going on in at the statehouse in the areas of energy efficiency.

Here is the text of SPO196, LD 501

An Act To Ensure Maine’s Energy Security and Reduce Dependence on Oil

CONCEPT DRAFT SUMMARY

This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This bill proposes to increase the State’s energy security while reducing the State’s reliance on oil by:

1. Setting aside 85% of revenues derived from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to:

A. Immediately establish an insulation and energy auditing training program at every community college in the State;

B. Provide a tax exemption for purchases of building insulation;

C. Establish a low-interest loan program for homeowners and businesses to purchase insulation;

D. Establish a low-interest marginal risk loan program for equipment and costs to start up insulation companies;

E. Provide a progressive tax credit to companies interested in maximizing the insulation value of their buildings, with a higher insulation value receiving a larger tax credit; and

F. Insulate homes of low-income residents;

2. Redirecting the focus of the Public Utilities Commission’s Efficiency Maine program from electricity use reduction to energy use reduction by:

A. Aggressively promoting the reduction of oil use;

B. Requiring that preference be given to an energy-saving project based on the return of investment of the project, regardless of the energy source;

C. Promoting the use of heat pump technology, giving top economic incentives to exceptionally high coefficients of performance; and

D. Aggressively pursuing Internet-based demand-side management programs; and

3. Establish a tax on oil equal to the BTU tax on electricity, the proceeds to fund Efficiency Maine.