Excerpt from Governor Baldacci’s 2008 State of the State address

“Tonight, I am announcing a “Wood-to-Energy Initiative” to bring Maine-made sources of heat to the homes and businesses of Maine.

This partnership will bring together the public and private sectors to explore what is possible and what is practical.

I have asked Maine entrepreneur Les Otten, who is here tonight, to bring together business leaders and our Department of Conservation to lead my Administration’s efforts on a conversion initiative that will use our forests and natural resources to relieve consumption of nonrenewable oil.

As a first step in this Initiative, my Administration will pursue a transition to biofuels such as wood pellets and wood chips.

We will identify those state buildings where conversion to wood pellets, wind or other renewable sources of energy can reduce costs by 30 to 50 percent.
This not only saves money for Maine taxpayers, it generates the investment and business activity to grow Maine’s economy.

The lessons learned from these demonstration projects will be made available to every home owner and business in Maine. As part of this Initiative, we will identify and promote the financial tools to enable Maine homeowners and small businesses to move away from their reliance on costly foreign oil.

We can encourage the alternative energy industry in way that benefits Maine without disadvantaging existing businesses reliant on wood for other products.

We are already working on a collaborative effort with New Brunswick and Nova Scotia that will take stock in our natural resources and develop new technologies and new market opportunities.

We should look to our Canadian neighbors for new partnerships that can reduce the cost of electricity in Maine and help us to better understand the energy potential of our forests.

In this energy crisis, we will develop renewable sources of energy made in Maine, by Maine businesses for Maine people.”