MPUC Approves Efficiency Maine Trust 3-Year Plan
June 24, 2010
Augusta, Maine—Today the Maine Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved the Triennial Plan (Plan) of the Efficiency Maine Trust (Trust)—and added several conditions to the approval including a report to the Commission in October 2010. The Trust is a new independent entity established by the Legislature in 2009 to develop, plan, coordinate and implement energy efficiency and alternative energy programs in Maine beginning July 1, 2010. The Legislature directed the Commission to review and subsequently approve or deny the Plan under statute.
“We commend the Trust for the overall plan. To ensure that we have adequate information on which to base performance measures, we are approving this Plan with certain conditions. It is the Commission’s job to ensure financial accountability for the significant ratepayer dollars at stake in these programs,” stated the Commission Chair Sharon Reishus. “The Trust is taking over and building on extensive, well-run existing energy efficiency programs which will continue to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions in Maine.”
The Trust’s legislative charge is to provide planning, design and administration of its programs, reduce energy costs and improve the security of the state and local economies; ensure that all expenditures of the Trust are cost-effective; and, promote investment in energy efficiency measures and alternative energy resources. The Plan’s goal is to move Maine towards achieving the Legislature’s energy savings targets set in statute: reductions in electricity and natural gas consumption of 30% in 10 years; reductions in oil heating use of 20% in 10 years; weatherization of 100% of homes and 50% of businesses in 20 years (by 2030). The Plan covers the three-year period from July 1, 2010 to June 20, 2013.
Background: Beginning July 1, 2010, the Trust will administer and disburse funds and coordinate programs to provide energy efficiency, and increase the use of alternative energy resources in the state. The board of the Trust was directed by the Legislature to develop a Triennial Plan for energy efficiency, alternative energy resources and conservation which includes quantifiable measures of performance. The Legislature also directed the Commission to review the plan and set a sixty day review period from the Trust’s filing of the Plan for the Commission to approve or reject the Plan. The Commission opened a proceeding in April to review the three-year plan of operations developed by the Trust. The Commission held a public meeting on May 26th and accepted written comments in order to gather public input on the Plan. For more information about the Plan, visit www.efficiencymainetrust.com .
For more information, please visit the Virtual Case File on the Commission’s website (www.maine.gov/mpuc ); search for docket number 2010-116 to access the documents of this case.
Contact: Evelyn deFrees, 207-287-6141 evelyn.defrees@maine.gov
