Maine Public Utilities Commission

NEWS RELEASE

Maine Public Utilities Commission
242 State Street
Augusta, Maine 04333-0018
Website: http://www.maine.gov/mpuc/, Email: maine.puc@maine.gov
CONTACT: Phillip Lindley, 207.287.1598, phil.lindley@maine.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2006

“Save-A-Watt” 10% Challenge Winners

AUGUSTA, MAINE – Winners chosen last week in the first Save-A-Watt 10% Challenge drawing used a variety of measures to decrease their electric usage. Below, three of the winners explain how they saved electricity and how they plan to use their $1000 rebates.

Kimberly Mazone, Richmond, who saved between 200 and 300 kWh per month, nearly 30%, said, “Conservation is a really big priority for my family. We have reduced our electricity usage by installing efficient light bulbs, turning off unused lights, and using propane to heat the water for our radiant slab heating system.” She said that they have also recently installed some passive solar equipment. Ms. Mazone commented that they have plans to pursue additional efficiency measures and that the rebate would enable her to buy additional ENERGY STAR® products they could not otherwise have afforded.

Howard Johnson, Jr., Lewiston, was the first call PUC Staff made, and thus technically our first official winner. As a retired CMP employee, Mr. Johnson is enthusiastic about leading the way for other Mainers. He accomplished his conservation primarily by disposing of an extra refrigerator in the garage, replacing an old freezer and refrigerator and purchasing a new wood stove. He said he is also shutting off unused appliances and lights around his home. Mr. Johnson saved approximately 160 kWh per month or approximately 20%.

Deloris Morin runs a small flower shop in Biddeford and saved between 300 and 400 kWh per month (approximately 13%) by shutting off her flower shop refrigerators over the weekends, by using fewer Christmas lights and by installing new windows. She said that she is considering using her rebate to purchase an ENERGY STAR® computer.

Last week, the Maine PUC selected the first six winners of the “Save-A-Watt” 10% Challenge, each of whom will receive a $1,000 rebate toward the purchase of an ENERGY STAR® appliance. Entered into the drawing were all residential and small business customers of Central Maine Power Company and Bangor Hydro-Electric Company who, during the past month, used at least 10% less electricity than during the comparable period last year.

The “Save-A-Watt” Challenge is a joint effort of the Maine Public Utilities Commission, and Constellation Energy, the supplier of standard offer power for CMP’s and BHE’s residential and small business customers. Drawings will be held through March 31, 2006. Customers reducing their electricity consumption by at least 10% are automatically entered into a drawing if their monthly billing cycle ended during the week preceding the drawing.

Noting that 20% of the 160,000 customers whose billing cycle ended during the period covered by the drawing used at least 10% less electricity and that their average reduction was 27%, PUC Chairman Kurt Adams is enthusiastic about the efforts of Maine people to conserve. “Maine people are really pulling together to conserve this winter. Energy efficiency is our best tool to combat high energy prices and protect the environment.”

Adams pointed out that the 32,000 customers who qualified for the drawing saved enough electricity to power 1,000 Maine homes for an entire year. “By reducing consumption, they not only save on their bills, but they help to bring the price down for the rest of us.” Adams praised Constellation Eenergy for providing the money for the rebates.

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For more information: www.energystar.gov, www.efficiencymaine.com

All PUC News Releases may be found on our website at: http://www.maine.gov/mpuc/staying_informed/news/press_release.shtml

To arrange an interview with Chairman Adams or Commissioners Diamond or Reishus, please contact Phillip Lindley at 207.287.1598 or by e-mail at phil.lindley@maine.gov. The Commission’s website may be accessed through the Maine School and Library Network at all public libraries in Maine.