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: Shirley Bartlett, 207.287.1388,
Shirley.bartlett@maine.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
May 26, 2006
PUC’s Maine
State Energy Program Announces
Low Interest
Loan Program for Flood Victims
AUGUSTA, ME – The Maine Public
Utilities Commission today announced that its Maine State Energy Program (MSEP)
has developed a low interest loan program for Southern Maine residents with
furnaces and/or hot water heaters damaged by recent May flooding. “Natural disasters require all of us to work
a bit harder to help out,” said PUC Chairman Kurt Adams. “We are pleased to be able to do our small
part to make the recovery a bit easier for people impacted by the floods,”
Adams said.
MSEP is making $50,000 available to affected residents to
allow them to install new, energy efficient hot water systems and/or
furnaces. Loans will be available on a
first-come, first-served basis at 3% interest.
Rob Yandow, York
Town Manager, states, “I anticipate that the State Energy Program’s low
interest loan program for flooding victims will be very beneficial to our
citizens. We have a long list of
property owners who have suffered damage to their furnaces and/or hot water
heaters and this program will be helpful to those individuals in need of
financial assistance while replacing these items.”
In order to be eligible, residents must meet the following criteria: The homeowner must prove the equipment being replaced was damaged by the recent flooding; replacement equipment being purchased must be more energy efficient than the model being replaced; the property owner must pass a credit assessment, be currently employed, and be able to provide proof of employment and salary. All systems must be installed by licensed professionals.
More specific information regarding loan criteria is available by contacting the Maine State Energy Program at 287-3318. MSEP will be working with FAME to originate loan documents as expeditiously as possible.
According to Denis Bergeron, the Director of the MSEP, “Some of the
best returns on energy efficiency result when replacing old equipment. The small added cost to buy efficient
products at that time is paid many times over by reduced operating costs. We are
pleased to be able to help persons affected by the flooding not only to replace
their hot water systems and furnaces but to lower their future energy bills as
well,” Bergeron said.
#####
For more information: http://www.efficiencymaine.com/
All PUC New Releases maybe 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.