The state of Maine took a big step forward to stabilize its tax code, when An Act to Implement Tax Relief and Tax Reform became a reality. At a time where many states have raised taxes, Maine’s new law reduces the tax burden on residents by almost $55 million.

Maine income tax was lowered for all taxpayers.

“The new code is more stable and progressive. It will help grow the economy. By making the earned income tax credit partially refundable, lower- and middle-income families will see an increase in their disposable income, so they can pay for essentials,” said Governor John Baldacci during the signing ceremony in his packed Statehouse office. “Maine is one of only three states that has this established, which makes our code more progressive.”

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In 2003 Governor John Baldacci established Pine Tree Zones (PTZ’s) to make areas that needed economic development more attractive to businesses by providing tax incentives. Those PTZ tax-free benefits have been extended to cover the entire state. Under the new law a two-tiered system will be implemented so that more economically challenged areas will have a longer benefit period.

“The program has resulted in more opportunities for Maine workers and businesses. This bill comes at an important time,” said the Governor. “Pine Tree Zones enable Maine to encourage growth internally, and attract new businesses to the state.”

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Many equate the current green energy technology boom as being as important to the economy as the Industrial Revolution.

Maine is ideally suited for wind, wave, and tidal energy production.

With that backdrop, more than 400 engineers, designers, technicians, and other experts came from Holland, Canada, and across America to Rockland, intent to share ideas and information about wind, wave, and tidal energy projects at the EnergyOcean Conference in June.

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In June the Maine Technology Asset Fund awarded the second round of bond funds totaling $25 million to new, innovative projects.

“We’ve developed a technology that will strengthen communications through broadband, tenfold,” said Andre Skalina of Dielectric Communications. “We’re working with UMaine on environmental testing. It could revolutionize the field.”

Projects are as diverse as using new underwater technologies to map the ocean floor for windmill platforms, bringing diagnostics technology to Brewer, so patients won’t have to travel to Boston for the same care, or establishing markets for breakthrough gene medicines developed by Jackson Laboratory, to name a few.

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A new law establishes a state energy agency, which will direct tens of millions of dollars into weatherization, conservation, and efficiency programs. The Efficiency Maine Trust and Board will be designed to organize the state’s numerous energy-related programs together under one roof and launch an unprecedented effort to transition Maine’s economy from its dependence on oil to alternative energy sources. In the process, thousands of jobs could be created.

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Maine’s lawmakers have been leaders in healthcare reform for successive legislatures. Maine’s prescription drug plan is recognized nationally. In 2003 Dirigo Health Reform was established. Its programs can be credited for be decreasing the number of people who were uninsured and underinsured during a time when those numbers increased across the nation. For five years the rate of uninsured has dropped in Maine.

Key initiatives that address cost, quality, and access to health care have passed this session.

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The EnergyOcean Conference brought together experts in the wind, waves, and tidal energy fields from around the world to Rockland, Maine.

The opportunity to network, for agencies, businesses, and representatives from governments, was huge, and Maine benefited. Spreading the awareness of the expertise and businesses that are established in Maine in this field is paramount for the industry to grow.

“Establishing the state as a substantial player in the offshore wind industry is one of the objectives of our new group, The Maine Wind Industry Initiative,” said Paul Williamson, project manager and member of the Maine Composites Alliance.

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Maine is already on the road that is creating a clean-energy revolution in America.

The foundation has been laid, which establishes Maine as a welcoming state, embracing innovative entrepreneurs.

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Thirteen schools and vocational centers in Maine were participants in the first high school competition in the nation to design the most efficient windmill blade out of composite materials. Some schools had more than one team, creating 26 teams in all, that converged at UMaine’s Field House, equipped with innovative designs and blade prototypes to test on May 15, 2009.

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Many people in Maine have said they want to buy as much of their power as possible from locally owned renewable power sources. A first-in-the-nation bill, passed this session, addresses the issue.

An Act to Establish the Community Based Renewable Energy Pilot Program calls for a six-year pilot program to test incentives to expand renewable power generation by individuals and communities.

“Maine has firmly established itself as a national leader in the creation of renewable energy,” said Governor Baldacci.

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