Imagine being on active duty assigned to keep highways clear of insurgents. Your in a convoy, its hot, its tense. Your ears start ringing from a blast that rocks your vehicle, you look ahead – the Humvee in front of you is gone. All that you can see is billowing black smoke.

It happens— all too often. But that could change with new technology that may be deployed with troops. A technology created here in Maine at Bolduc Technology Group, in Augusta.

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Today the Maine Public Utilities Commission voted to grant conditional approval for Central Maine Power (CMP) to upgrade a section of its transmission system near Roxbury, ME.

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Back in 2007 Governor John Baldacci visited Madison Paper Industries and listened to the companies concerns. Transportation and energy costs were major expenses that threatened the industries future. The Governor and his team recommended installing a biomass boiler, to save energy— and funds.

In January the company received a $357,000 grant from Efficiency Maine for a $25 million biomass boiler.

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today announced the first round of applicants accepted into the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.

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Maine is special — community is all-important. Homegrown nonprofits, working with the State and federal government, preserve land, help citizens, and strive for a better future.

That future is being built now— with a million acres protected under the Baldacci administration, railroads expanding, new manufacturers coming to the state who need the expertise of Maine workers, and the clean-energy economy taking root.

This revolutionary energy economy has Maine leading the nation in energy research and development, weatherizing homes, and building businesses. Clean energy is already being generated from wind, waves, and wood.

MAINE’S CLEAN ENERGY PROGRESS—

• Exclusive interview with Governor John Baldacci on how energy independence from fossil fuels is possible – by working regionally

• ISO New England says regional energy collaborations make sense

• $7 million to install energy-efficient appliances and heating systems

• EDITORIAL: Energy independence from fossil fuels — no longer a pipe dream

• Energy Secretary Chu is impressed with Maine’s AEWC research center

• Chu’s visit puts $20 million in proposed federal budget

• Maine leads the world- in how to measure carbon savings

• Maine a hit at world’s largest wind conference

• ORPC produces tidal energy- in Eastport, Maine

• DOE funds loans for weatherization and new training opportunities

MAINE IS GROWING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION—

• An exclusive interview with Gov. John Baldacci on the national deficit, the economy, and the future

• An exclusive interview with Congressman Mike Michaud on veterans’ affairs, paper manufacturing, and health care

• Sustainable forestry is profitable: Maine has 7.5 million acres certified

• Kestrel Aircraft Co. plans to build niche turboprop at Brunswick Landing

• Expansion of the Amtrak Downeaster from Boston to Brunswick gets underway

COMMUNITY NEWS—

• Rangeley area community celebrates preserving land and its heritage

• Florence House: Giving homeless women a second chance, in Portland, Maine

• New community service grants

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Since you’ve been in office the state has developed and has begun to implement a comprehensive energy plan, which your director of the Office of Energy and Security, John Kerry, says will take the state 50 years into the future — to energy independence from fossil fuels. How is this connected with your work with the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers? Why is it important to work regionally on energy issues?

“Working regionally is one way that we have been able to progress the state’s energy goals.

“Maine is a part of the Northeast region of America, including Canadian provinces in Eastern Canada. When you look at it on the map, that’s access to 55 million people; it’s huge. It’s not a long extension line from the energy resources to the major population hubs on the East Coast. Maine by itself can’t supply all those needs, but Maine certainly can be a leader with our offshore and onshore wind technologies, our expertise, and other renewable energy resources. We can also lead by establishing interconnections to the Eastern Canadian provinces, collecting their electrical energy with ours to feed to the Northeastern markets.

“That’s why energy issues are important in the region. We are trying to make Maine the beachhead, with best practices established in these energy fields, with research conducted at the University of Maine and the Ocean Energy Institute.

“Others can talk about doing things; Maine is where it is happening.

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Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) has successfully generated grid-compatible power from tidal currents at its Cobscook Bay site in Eastport, Maine. Tests of a turbine off Eastport’s coast have met or exceeded forecasts.

“It’s a critical step to our first commercial unit that will be connected to the grid in little more than a year now,” said Chris Sauer, president of ORPC. “It’s a huge milestone for America’s ocean energy industry.”

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At the National Governors Association meeting held this summer was energy a topic of discussion?

“Energy was a focus of economic development at the conference. We discussed the importance of pursuing a clean-energy future, which will enhance the quality of life and place for our citizens, as it diminishes our carbon footprint. While clean energy is developed from our natural resources, we talked about the importance of keeping these resources sustainable for future generations. In Maine we want to grow ecotourism, expand value-added goods and energy opportunities, while protecting our natural resources.

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The State’s Home Energy Savings Program offered cash rebates up to $4,000 on weatherization retrofitting last summer. Add federal tax incentives of up to $1,500, and anyone could save $5,500 to weatherize their home.

“Preapproved weatherization projects that reduce fuel usage for heat and hot water by 25 percent are eligible for up to $1,500 in rebates, while those that achieve energy savings of 50 percent or more are eligible for up to $3,000,” said Michael Stoddard [right] executive director of Efficiency Maine Trust, during an energy event attended by federal and State officials, including Governor John Baldacci.

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For far too long we’ve been dependent on fossil fuels to heat our homes, to power our industries, and for transportation. Maine uses fossil fuels for over 80 percent of its energy needs. Thousands of dollars from hardworking Mainers go out the door to oil companies every year. But that doesn’t have to be the future. The state has been working hard, since 2002, to become energy independent from fossil fuels.

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