Wrap up from Governor's Energy Efficiency Summit - thanks to all who attended!

Hopefully the more than 500 of you who attended last week’s Governor’s Energy Efficiency Summit left at the end of the day as excited as I did.  It was a great day that began with an excellent keynote speech by Thomas Casten of Recycled Energy Development who provide compelling examples of how we can be (and why we should be) more efficient with the production of electricity. Summit participants also received a new report entitled “Energy Efficiency, Business Competitiveness, And Untapped Economic Potential in Maine,” prepared by the Muskie School of Public Service and the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center and presented to the Governor by Charlie Colgan. I attended two of the eight breakout sessions: one about job opportunities and growth in the energy efficiency sector and the other about financing efficiency investment where I learned about the incredible $100 million city project of the Cambridge Energy Alliance. You can find out more about this project by visiting their website at www.cambridgeenergyalliance.org. 

There were also over thirty exhibitors to check out between speakers and breakout sessions. I spent the majority of my time at NRCM’s booth talking to people about LD 2257, “An Act to Establish a Uniform Building and Energy Code,” which was identified as one of the top energy efficiency actions we can take in the state of Maine. (Find out how you can help pass this important energy efficiency legislation here.) Since I didn’t get to spend as much time looking at other exhibits or attend all the breakout sessions, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts. These are just a few high-lights from my experience at the Summit which also included a number of other terrific speakers and panel discussions. I look forward to connecting with the hundreds who attended the Summit as we take what we learned from the day and implement energy efficiency throughout the state, helping us lower our energy costs and our emissions!

Caitlin and I had the opportunity to test drive the two electric cars on display by Kal Rogers of Maine Electric Vehicles in the parking lot when everyone else had gone home. They were fun to drive, especially the Zenn, zipping around the parking lot and would be perfect for city or island living. Check them out for new higher-speed, larger range models.

If you attended the Summit please share your thoughts with us below! And if not, stay tuned for a couple of regional energy efficiency workshops in the coming months.

Sara Lovitz
Clean Energy Outreach Coordinator

Comments

[Shelah]

I am surprised to learn that building codes aren't already in place. Please pass this legislation.

[trapman]

Loved Tom Casten's speech. It's just mind-blowing how much energy our electric system wastes!

[Julia]

Thanks for the update - been waiting for something.