On Thursday the Governor appeared on the MSNBC Rachael Meddow Show and talked about why he supports No on Question 1.

“In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions. I came to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage.

“The law guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine’s civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government. The law does not force any religion to recognize a marriage that falls outside of its beliefs. It does not require the church to perform any ceremony with which it disagrees. Instead, it reaffirms the separation of Church and State.

“This is an emotional issue that touches deeply many of our most important ideals and traditions. There are good, earnest and honest people on both sides of the question. I did not come to my decision lightly or in haste. My responsibility as Governor is to uphold the Constitution and do, as best as possible, what is right,” said Governor Baldacci. “I believe that signing the legislation was the right thing to do.”

The event marks the beginning of the NO on 1 Campaign’s Get-Out-the-Vote program with thousands of volunteers all across the state contacting family, friends and neighbors to remind them to vote NO on Question 1.

The Governor recognized the tireless work of campaign volunteers, encouraging them to continue their efforts through November 3. He also recognized several area legislators present at the event and commended them on their thoughtful deliberations of the issue.

Although unable to attend the event, State Senator Chris Rector offered the following comments, “I voted for the marriage equality bill because it was clear that my constituents supported it. I also came to believe that it was the right thing to do for the state of Maine. The law should treat all Mainers equally, it’s that simple. I hope the law the Legislature passed is upheld on Nov 3rd.”

Ray and Connie Winship, retired teachers who live in Fairfield and currently co-chair the Waterville Universalist Unitarian Church Welcoming Congregation Program said their commitment to equality began in 1993.

“We’ve been speaking out all these years and will continue to speak out because we want Maine people to know that discrimination happens and we want them to know how much it hurts the victims and their families,” said Ray Winship. “Let’s prove, once and for all, that Maine won’t discriminate,” added Connie Winship.

Bev and Sue Uhlenhake, who have a one-year-old son, are disheartened by the challenge to the marriage equality law. Both women grew up believing that marriage is the foundation of a family and want that strong foundation for their own family. She believes that the vote is all about children.

“This vote IS about my child. Marriage equality will absolutely affect him. He deserves the right to have parents who are more than legal strangers. He deserves married parents, and that’s what I’m asking my fellow citizens of Maine to make happen today. It is now time to say NO. Say NO to inequality. Say NO to discrimination. Say NO to Question 1,” said Bev Uhlenhake.

According to NO on 1 Campaign manager Jesse Connolly, the Get-Out-the-Vote effort over the next seven days will involve thousands of volunteers across the state who will talk with friends and neighbors, staff phone bank operations, and knock on doors reminding supporters to vote NO on 1 for equality and fairness for all Maine families.

“The key to winning this election is getting our supporters out to vote. This is a true grassroots effort and we continue to be overwhelmed by the level of support and energy,” said Connolly. “Mainers have dug deep, whether that’s manning extra nights at our phone banks, double shifts knocking on doors, or writing another check.”

Article I in the Maine Constitution states that “no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor be denied the equal protection of the laws, nor be denied the enjoyment of that person’s civil rights or be discriminated against.”

An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom abides by Article I.

The current law upholds Maine’s Constitution, while maintaining the integrity of all religious beliefs.

TABOR II Would Harm Maine’s Economy, Businesses, and Families —

Maine’s efforts to improve its business climate and recover from the recession would be hindered if voters adopt the proposed “Taxpayer Bill of Rights” (TABOR) that is on the ballot, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

The New York Times wrote an editorial, The Maine Miracle, on how the state was able to lower taxes and balance the budget during the recession, the only state in the nation to do so.

Spending Limits Already in Place —

•    State spending in Maine has already fallen as a share of residents’ income over the last two decades, making TABOR unnecessary. In the last five years spending caps have been put in place for all levels of government.

•    LD 1  prevents excessive spending increases in schools, without the harmful effects of TABOR. In some areas of the state LD 1 has reduced property taxes.

•    TABOR would hinder Maine’s efforts to prepare for future downturns or unexpected fiscal challenges by reducing the amount of funds the state can reserve in its Budget Stabilization Fund.

Undoing school district mergers would cost taxpayers $37 million —

Bureaucracy. That’s where unnecessary expenses mount up with any organization. Until the school consolidation law, Maine’s school administrative district offices have been operating as bureaucracies.

Consolidation of school administrative units has always been about getting rid of antiquated, costly bureaucracies that, year after year, took funds away from educating Maine’s children.

This was money that could have improved science labs, bought books, improved athletic and arts programs, and generally improved the overall educational environment for thousands of students.

Most mergers are finalized. According to the Department of Education, in July 85 percent of the students in the state are enrolled in school systems that meet the requirements of the reorganization law. There has not been enough time to analyze cost savings.

A report by the Maine Legislature’s Office of Fiscal and Program Review said that repealing the consolidation mandate will cost the state $37 million.

We talked about energy transmission interconnection lines, about the issues of renewable energies, education, healthcare, and rail expansion. We were given a presentation on the economy from the Federal Reserve director in the Atlanta district. It was very worthwhile.

We were able to weigh in on the national healthcare reform, with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, which was a unique opportunity. We shared the importance of making sure people have universal access to quality affordable health care. At the same time we wanted to make sure that unfunded mandates weren’t passed onto the states.

It gave me an opportunity to talk about Maine’s Universal Wellness Initiative. It’s a program that has been rolled out in two or three counties now. It will be going statewide the first of the year. People will be able to log on to a webpage and access resources locally, so they can do up front screening and primary preventative heath care education. The website also connects people with the resources they need in their own communities using the Healthy Maine Partnerships network.

The Universal Wellness Initiative is an innovative way to connect people with local heath care resources that are free or subsidized, as well as offering preventative care information. We are trying to build wellness and healthy out comes for people by making information and care more accessible.

I saw a New York Times article today that said that the United State’s healthcare system costs $165 billion dollars a year, ten percent of that cost comes from the problem we face with obesity. The Universal Wellness Initiative is a needed step in the right direction. It’s a very controversial and complex issue, we have to tackle. It’s one sixth of our economy. If we are not careful it will overtake our entire economy.

President Clinton has said this issue is as important as climate change. Do you agree?

It is. Both issues are connected. When you are talking to people about energy, its about being more efficient, being more renewable, and domestic. They begin to think more about the environment, more about what they are doing to the environment, and what the environment maybe doing to them. That could lead to buying local fresh produce because they want to cut down on the transportation pollution caused by trucking produce to Maine from California. Being energy efficient is part of living a healthy life style. By reducing green house gasses you are making the planet healthier, people healthier, and the economy healthier. How we look at issues changes how we interact and our lifestyles generally follow those changes.

In the business community Hannaford’s corporate leadership is showing the way and setting an example for other companies. Their new store in Augusta is the world’s first Platinum LEED certified supermarket. It shows their commitment to energy efficiency and healthy eating. They have an organic line, and are selling Backyard Farms tomatoes from their hydroponic green houses in Madison. They are using geothermal and solar energy to heat and cool the supermarket. The store also serves as an educational center for schools. You know, they started as a small Maine store. They realize the benefit of being energy efficient to the planet, the community, and economically. More and more companies are making the same realization.

Look at our paper companies. They want their trees to be grown in a sustainable certified way. The have realized that it’s how they can insure their company’s future. More and more of them are diversifying, looking at becoming biorefineries producing cellulosic ethanol.

We are meeting with the owner of the Old Town Fuel and Fiber mill who is very interested in producing jet fuel, made from cellulosic ethanol for helicopters and tanks. (Old Town Fuel and Fiber bio-refinery would produce the fuel).

We are seeing a lot of corporate leadership making the connection that a clean energy economy is good for the bottom line. It’s what needs to happen. It’s a good business practice to conserve, protect and stretch your resources. It makes sure we have a sustainable policy for economic development.

With possible federal improvements to the Downeaster Route travel time between Boston and Portland would be cut down to two hours and the new system would support seven daily round trips. With 90 percent of northeastern residents living within 50 miles of passenger-grade rail, economic development along the line is predicted to increase. What’ s the update on the Downeaster?

I was really pleased that the Congress nearly doubled the appropriation for rail. The original four billion was closer to eight billion. We don’t have a national rail policy let alone a regional policy. We, in Maine, want to do more.

We have a plan before the Department of Transportation to expand the Downeaster to Brunswick, with a stop in Freeport. Then we have a connection on the Eastern Railroad to go on to Rockland. We have proposals to connect our ports in Searsport with rail, and Eastport with rail. Our hope is that we will know before the beginning of the year weather we get the green light or not.

Despite the recession Eastern ports are seeing a steady rise in the amount of cargo container shipping traffic. Charles Moorman, CEO of Norfolk Rail said the use of freight is estimated to increase by 80 percent by 2025. Does this make you hopeful for Maine’s ports?

If our businesses are going to be able to compete and get their goods to market they can’t continue to put them on big rigs and transport them on the roads because it costs too much. They need other options available to them; rail, ports and airports. I think we are going to get a balanced transportation presentation with rail and our ports being a big part of it. I’m excited about this administrations initiatives and what we are doing here in the state of Maine.

Cargo container business has increased, and will continue to, even if the economy is flat. Businesses are shipping more because of the cost of transporting their goods using diesel or gas is higher than shipping. Passing transportation costs on to consumers is not a good business practice. Consumers pay for value. Businesses understand their predicament and are realigning by shipping their goods because it is more efficient. Portland, Eastport and Searsport can be major players. There is a bond issue to help improve these ports come November.

Maine is the doorstep to North America. You have to come in and out of Maine’s corridors in order to get into North America from Europe. And Europe is the in-between stop to Asia. That puts us on the front line for import and export opportunities.

If you look at the map of Maine with 17,000 million acres of forestlands, there are three major veins running through the state. The first is Downeast – Northern Maine that the port of Eastport serves. The second is Millinocket–Katahdin region that Searsport will serve, and the third is Portland and Southern Maine, which has Portland’s cargo port.

We have a three-port strategy based upon these veins of economic development and traffic. The more we can help facilitate that three port strategy the more we can help businesses who can then employ more people.

It will go a long way to help our pulp and paper companies which are a manufacturing base in Maine. By diversifying they have become stabilized, during a very difficult time.

Once the three-port strategy is in place, traffic generates traffic, more business opportunities and economic development will follow.

The U.S. spends less than 2% on infrastructure; China spends more than 9%. Congresswoman Rosa Delauro has a bill proposing a Capital Infrastructure Bank. You sat on the Transportation committee when you were in Congress. What do you think of the proposal?

It’s a good idea. One of the big differences between Maine ‘s budget and the federal budget is that we have bonding, so it’s a capitol budget. Specific projects costs are not integrated in the general fund budget; only transportation financing is a part of the budget. Washington put’s it all into the big budget. Paying for projects that could have a thirty to sixty year life span, out of a current operational budget becomes improbable at best. Most of the time funds promised to states for long term projects never materialize.

It’s simply not fair to the overall finances of the federal government, and the economy. It should be financed like you finance your house. When you are putting on an addition, you are going to get a home improvement loan. Or when you buy a house you’ll finance it with a mortgage. Why would you ever think you could pay for it out of your weekly pay roll check? You can’t so you never make any improvements.

We need a Capital Infrastructure Bank so projects that will last long term are paid for in a long term way. The theory is that future generations will benefit from capitol improvements to roads, bridges, rails, ports and airports. So we need to make sure we’ve set this on a financing course to make sure that future generations contribute to that effort.

Why should it be fair to today’s generation to pay for a bridge or railroad that will last for a hundred years? We don’t do that in the state of Maine. It’s something that is needed and should be amended to our federal budgeting process in the form of a Capital Infrastructure Bank.

The governors aren’t supporting a specific piece of legislation; we support the principle of a Capital Infrastructure Bank. I’m hopeful from what Rosa said that they will have a mark-up on the House side soon in regards to that legislation.

Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, said at the conference that the Pass ID legislation is designed to replace the controversial Real ID law. How so?

Pass ID is a cost-effective solution that balances critical security requirements with the input and practical needs of state governments. What’s gone on is we have people coming in from out of state obtaining drivers’ licenses here, even though they aren’t residents. They have been using those licensees as I.D. to access our programs that benefit the people of Maine.

We need to put integrity into our drivers’ licenses. We need to make sure that people who live and work in the state are able to have a driver’s license that recognizes who they are.

I feel very strongly about this because of the cases the Commissioner of Public Safety has shared with me, that are currently in Federal Court. Vanloads of people have traveled up from Boston, obtained Maine drivers’ licenses, and broke the law by using them under false pretenses.

People in Maine are welcoming people, open trusting people; it’s just the way we are. In today’s world people take advantage of that good nature.

I know the Secretary of State, Matt Dunlop, has to administer the changes, and it is administratively difficult, but it is important for our public safety and the integrity of our drivers’ licenses, and to our taxpayers.

All we are asking is that people have to prove they are residents of the State of Maine. Pass I.D. takes out the onerous requirements, like the photo imaging, and putting personal information on a national database, that would infringe upon civil liberties. None of that will happen.

The Obama Administration, working in a bi-partisan manner with the National Governor’s Association, has come up with this compromise. It’s about strengthening drivers licenses, cutting down the cost to states enormously, while giving us needed flexibility. We’re looking to pass that nationally, and we are ready to adjust our laws if need be to the national law.

The amount of energy this new clean energy economy will need to power America is staggering. How is Maine progressing its clean energy goals?

Wind, solar, tidal, natural gas and wood are all a part of our energy solution. The potential to export wind energy is great. We have the largest wind farms in New England.

I was so proud when the Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar was here and I could say, ‘others talk about it, we build it.’

He asked how long it takes us to permit a site and build the wind farm. I told him it took us three and a half years for the first wind farm on Mars Hill. That amazed him. He said coal fired plants take a lot longer to get permitted and up and running. Frankly, I told him three and a half years was too long. So we’ve implemented changes, by working with Maine’s environmental community and the legislature. Now, in some areas in Maine, you can get expedited permits.

We are transferring that expedited permitting process to offshore wind projects. We are working to have five pre-permitted sites, no only to conduct the research but also the development of offshore wind. We’re already working with the environmental community and regulators to set those plans in motion. So we have the potential to free ten thousand mega watts of electricity offshore, which is the energy equivalent of forty nuclear power plants.

If you take that power and funnel it through to the Northeast to Boston and New York, Maine becomes a huge energy source for them. It’s an economic development source for us because you get the tax revenues, added construction, and transmission jobs. The economy benefits too as more businesses will come here because of the energy, and they in turn will conduct more business here.

It’s important to remember that its not just wind. We have potential in tidal and solar energy as well. And then there are our forests. We have our wood pellets, and biorefinary projects that will produce cellulosic ethanol. We have great opportunities with a wood resource of 17,000 million acres. It’s a huge sustainable resource.

Maine is the Saudi Arabia of forestry, and the Saudi Arabia of wind energy.

Also there is going to be a lot more use for electricity. With more availability of the resource, with transmission lines in place, costs should decrease. People will want to get away from petroleum cars. People are already looking towards electric heat.

More things will be done with the efficient use of electricity. The shift will happen because there is a great need. Maine can become a huge energy exporter and with ease meet the electric needs of our people.

The thing we have to be mindful about is that we get it done working together so we don’t allow the Midwest D.C transmission line to come through and negate all our efforts to develop wind power in the Northeast because we couldn’t get our act together.

We need to get our act together, listen to all sides of the debate, do necessary research, and act.

IN THIS ISSUE:

• In an exclusive interview, Governor John E. Baldacci explains how Maine is open for business, with lower income taxes, incentives for businesses and a growing innovative economy. The governor also comments on President Obama as a leader and partner and similarities in healthcare programs.

• Maine INCOME TAXES CUT!

• Pine Tree Zones expand for the entire state, the program gives business tax incentives.

• Maine’s staggering potential in wind, waves, and tidal production.

• Bonds for MTAF awards go to innovative projects- which will grow Maine’s economy.

Also in this in issue 22:

• Weatherization for all – the Energy Efficiency Trust and Board.
• Building a foundation in Maine for universal health.
• the Maine Wind Industry Initiative.
• Editorial: Maine in the 21st economy: the state is open for business.
• UMaine’s first national wind-blade challenge.
• Maine, leading the nation in “firsts” in environmental laws.
• Companies honored for their environmental stewardship.
• An Act to Facilitate the Production of Liquid Biofuels.
• MaineHousing offers cash incentives to buy first homes.
• Rep. John Piotti, a problem-solving consensus builder.
• Maine’s community service shines.
• National Guard Health Report may become National standard.
All photography in this issue by Ramona du Houx unless indicated

Governor John Baldacci and the Maine Legislature are calling on President Obama and Congress to adopt recommendations to increase medical standards, review vaccination protocols and provide better preventive treatment for members of the Maine National Guard.

The Legislature passed a joint resolution calling on Congress to carry out these and other recommendations made by the Commission to Protect the Lives and Health of Members of the Maine National Guard.

“I hopeful that Congress and the President will accept these recommendations,” said Maine’s adjunct National Guard General Libby. “A part of the commission’s mission is to see these changes implemented at the national level.”

The Commission was established in 2007 by a Governor’s bill, which was sponsored by Speaker Glenn Cummings and received unanimous support in the State Legislature. The legislation was born out of the advocacy of Barbara Damon-Day, the mother of Patrick Damon.

On June 15, 2006, news of the sudden death of Captain Damon reached the State House where he had been a long time legislative staffer. The initial Army reports attributed Captain Damon’s death to a sudden heart attack, despite his having no previously known heart conditions or family history of heart troubles. An anthrax vaccine became a possible answer to the mystery.

“My son was a healthy individual, the reports didn’t add up,” said Damon-Day. “I needed to do something.”

Gov. Baldacci honors Barbara Damon Day, and her son, at the state house

Governor Baldacci included a cover letter to each document being sent to Washington, D.C., urging consideration of federal action to implement the recommendations.

“We all owe a great debt of gratitude to our brave soldiers who have answered our nation’s call,” said the Governor. “All too often, our soldiers have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Many others have returned home, but with deep physical or psychological wounds. The State of Maine joins our federal government in seeking to provide the best care possible to these heroes.”

Damon-Day has found some solace with her actions.

“I’m more at peace, now that I’m doing something I hope makes a difference. I’m very pleased that this commission has made some real accomplishments that have led to policy changes in Maine,” said Damon-Day. “The Commission has allowed veterans and military families an opportunity to give us feed back. And we have acted on that information. If I had a wish, it would be to encourage more service members to come forward to the Commission. We need to hear more of their stories; they are where it all begins. They can remain anonymous. This commission is here for them, and their families, forever.”

The Commission will continue to meet and provide a forum for veterans and their family members.

Rep. Alexander Cornell du Houx praised the commission’s recommendations and called on the Congress to adopt their recommendations. Cornell du Houx, an Iraq War Veteran, speaking on the House floor, praised the commission, “for their tireless work to provide the best care possible for our service members. We pass this joint resolution to raise the federal standards, not just for past wars, but for the conflicts of today.”

Recommendations being sent to Washington, D.C., include increasing efforts to diagnosis and treat illnesses; making all anthrax vaccine safety data available to independent researchers; establishing a seamless electronic medical records system between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs; and granting service members the benefit of a doubt when they file a valid disability claim for service-connected injuries or illnesses.

“Our country has a moral obligation to make sure we take care of those we send into harm’s way – not only when they are in combat, but also when they come home,” said the Governor.

“I applaud Barbara for all of her hard work in creating and heading up this commission. This report would not have been possible without her outstanding leadership,” said Sen. President Elizabeth Mitchell. “Now we need the President and Congress to act.”

Since its creation in 2007, the commission has provided a single source of health-related information for Maine veterans on the Maine CDC website, improved the ‘Over 40 Physical Exam’ to include cardiovascular screening prior to deployment, increase traumatic brain injury screenings, improved medical record handling, and established a case review board for non-combat deaths and disabilities.

Sargent Jack Sterns honors Mainers who gave their lives for the country at a dedication ceremony

“Seboeis Lake is a shining example of how protecting Maine’s special places is linked to our economic vitality,” said Governor John Baldacci. “With the help of our Land for Maine’s Future program, we are guaranteeing permanent public access for all traditional outdoor activities, we’re bolstering the tourist economy in the Millinocket region, and we’re preserving a treasured resource.”

The new acquisition includes 12 miles of frontage on Seboeis Lake and Northwest Pond and another 4.8 miles of island shoreline. The 2,434 acres will be added to the existing Seboeis Unit, building on an earlier Land for Maine’s Future-funded acquisition at the south end of Seboeis Lake. With this addition, 95 percent of the Seboeis Lake shoreline now is permanently protected for public access and closed to private development.

Public access will be guaranteed to approximately five miles of Interconnected Trail System Connector Trail 111, which links two major north-south snowmobile routes between the Brownville area and Millinocket.

Patrick McGowan, Commissioner of the Department of Conservation, said, “Seboeis is a great piece of land cherished by the local community and ideal for camping, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting and ATV riding. This is one of the reasons why Land for Maine’s Future has been so successful in all 16 of Maine’s counties, because it conserves great land that people love. This acquisition is tied very tightly to the local community. It is a wonderful addition to the public ownership in this region of Maine.”

“Today we have come very close to the goal of making the entire Seboeis Lake area a public asset, a place that can never be closed off,” said Sam Hodder, The Trust for Public Land Maine director. “Once again, Governor Baldacci and the Legislature have shown their commitment, through their support of the Land for Maine’s Future program, to investing in our natural resources. It will pay dividends today in spectacular opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, and opportunities for the local communities to earn tourism dollars, but it is also a legacy for future generations.”

The $2.4 million purchase was made possible by funds from three sources:
• A grant of $897,000 from the Land for Maine’s Future program;
• $503,000 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grants Program; and
• $1 million from the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.

Seboeis Lake offers clear waters, scenic vistas, which include Mt. Katahdin, and many opportunities for camping, fishing, canoeing, and wildlife viewing. It has the largest population of nesting loons on any lake in northern Maine except Moosehead. The shores of Northwest Pond, in the newly acquired area, offer some of the finest moose watching in the entire region.

“The Land for Maine’s Future Board has been committed to this area for many years,” said George Lapointe, the chair of the Land for Maine’s Future Board. “This is a sound investment that protects Maine’s heritage as well as the foundation of a healthy economic future for our citizens, especially in the hard-hit rural areas of the State.”

Two years ago, state government along with the local community, recreational groups and landowners worked together to acquire land surrounding the lake. All the stakeholders came together understanding they were preserving a unique part of Maine for future generations.

Gene Collogue, Millinocket Town Manager, said, “The Seboeis purchase is part of a larger package in the Millinocket area that was previously negotiated. This is a major step toward realizing completion of the total deal that includes several parcels of land north of Millinocket owned by Roxanne Quimby. It will add to the assurance that current multi-use trails and other recreational uses will be protected while allowing for more to be constructed in the future. This area of the state prides itself on being a working forest that also provides abundant recreational opportunities and we want that to continue.”

The Trust for Public Land, established in 1972, specializes in conservation real estate, applying its expertise in negotiations, public finance, and law to protect land for people to enjoy as parks, greenways, community gardens, urban playgrounds, and wilderness. In Maine, TPL has protected more than 111,000 acres with projects ranging from city parks and pathways to coastal habitat and working farms and forests.

The Land for Maine’s Future Program was created in 1987 in response to concerns over the loss of critical natural areas and wildlife habitat along with traditional access to undeveloped lands for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. To date, the LMFP has protected over 490,000 acres of Maine’s best recreational and natural areas.

The LMFP Program also seeks to protect farmlands through the purchase of development rights and public access to water for fishing boating and commercial marine activities.

“This will help rural areas with more primary care physicians,” said Governor John Baldacci. “Research shows that doctors tend to settle near the hospitals where they complete their training. I know that given the chance young doctors will stay in Maine.”

The tuition scholarship will cover half the cost of attendance annually, up to $25,000, for eligible students who enter qualifying Maine based medial school programs.

“The need for rural physicians is not acceptable. We’re hoping we will see an increase in primary physicians,” said Richard Petersen, CEO of Maine Medical Center. “We’re happy to be a part of this collaboration.”

The need for more qualified doctors in the state is so great Maine’s major health care providers will match the state scholarship funds.

“We’re hoping that with matching scholarship funds we will see an increase in primary physicians,” said Katie Fullam Harris of Maine Health. “This takes a huge step in allowing us to educate physicians here. With a burgeoning elderly population it’s needed.”

“This effort has been lead by our health care community. They want to have more primary care physicians in our state, especially in the rural areas. People have been rushing into emergency rooms causing increases to insurance premiums, in some case, because there aren’t enough rural caregivers,” said Gov. Baldacci.

The collaboration works with Tuffs University and Dartmouth College. Those sought after medical institutions have agreed to align themselves with Maine’s medical institutions. The new curriculum will give students a high quality education in medicine without having to leave the state.

“With this collaboration we don’t have to build a new medical institution. We’re utilizing the experience and expertise that Tuffs and Dartmouth have as they work with the University of New England, EMMC and Maine Medical Center to offer degrees that will create more primary physicians,” said the Governor. “With this scholarship fund our young professionals won’t come out of college so indebted that they have to get high paying jobs in other states to pay back the debt.”

The revolving scholarship fund will be administered by the Finance Authority of Maine.

Sen. Lisa Marache, who is a practicing doctor in Waterville, sponsored the bill. “I never would have become a doctor without the scholarships that I got. This bill provides needed funds for people to pursue their medical careers in Maine, it’s something we have never done before. We are providing educations for doctors right here, in the state of Maine, so they will practice right here, in the state of Maine.”

“We are delighted to be able to respond to the high demand for this program,” said Sharon M. Reishus, commission chair. “Solar power on homes and small businesses is part of the solution to our energy challenges. In addition, this program will generate some welcome economic activity in the state.”

New federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, together with another year’s funding from existing state sources, have enabled the commission to begin accepting applications for the rebates as the installation season begins.

Residential and commercial thermal incentives are set at 25 percent of the cost of a qualifying system, with a cap of $1,000. The incentive for photo-voltaic systems is $2 per watt, with a cap of $2,000.

To protect customers, the commission requires that they “reserve” their rebates before installation. An advance reservation ensures that customers who purchase a system know in advance that their rebate will be there for them after installation is complete.

To be eligible, the installation must be performed by a professional certified by the MPUC. Applications and further instructions are available through Efficiency Maine online at efficiencymaine.com.