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: Nicole Clegg, 207-287-8519, 207-310-0123 (cell) Nicole.Clegg@maine.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2007

Voluntary Renewable Resources Funding Available

PUC announces grants of $50,000 for community projects using renewable energy technology

AUGUSTA, Maine – Today, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) announced the availability of funding through the Voluntary Renewable Resources Fund for community demonstration projects that utilize renewable energy technologies. Grants of up to $50,000 are available to qualifying Maine-based nonprofits for the development of a project utilizing renewable resources like wind, water, sun, wood, tides, trash-to-energy, fuel cells and geothermal energy. The Voluntary Renewable Resources Fund was established by the Legislature in 2000 and is supported by contributions made by consumers on their electric bill. To date, the Voluntary Renewable Resources Fund has $300,000 available for small-scale community projects that will serve as demonstration projects designed to educate the community on the value and cost-effectiveness of harnessing natural resources for clean electricity.

“The Voluntary Renewable Resources Fund is an innovative approach to providing power, creating jobs and protecting the environment as it allows all electricity consumers the opportunity, personally, to support the expansion of a clean energy market in our state,” remarked Kurt Adams, Chairman of the PUC. “Maine is a state rich in natural resources and this fund encourages the development of clean energy projects small in scale that can be replicated community to community. Our hope is that as these projects become more prevalent throughout the state, more communities will want to pursue renewable energy projects for their electricity use,” continued Adams.

The Voluntary Renewable Resources Fund awarded a grant to the Chewonki Foundation of Wiscasset and the Hydrogen Energy Center of Portland for the construction of a hydrogen fuel cell demonstration system, which promotes the use of hydrogen as a storage medium for renewable energy resources in 2003. Applications for this grant cycle are due August 30, 2007 and award recipients will be announced October 1, 2007.

For more information on the Voluntary Renewable Resource Fund, contact Shirley Bartlett of the PUC at 287-3318 or Shirley.bartlett@maine.gov or visit the PUC’s website for a copy of the request for proposals at: http://www.maine.gov/msep/news.php#83.

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The Public Utilities Commission is committed to ensuring that consumers have access to safe and reliable service for public utilities and that the rates for these utilities are just and reasonable. PUC programs include Maine Enhanced 911 Service, Dig Safe, and Efficiency Maine.

To arrange an interview with Chairman Adams, Commissioner Reishus, or Commissioner Vendean Vafiades, please contact Nicole Clegg at 207.287.8519 or by e-mail at nicole.clegg@maine.gov.