MPUC, Efficiency Maine, State Libraries Launch Energy Education Campaign
January 6, 2009
Maine Public Utilities Commission
Press Release
Kill A WattŪ Campaign Launched
Home Energy Monitors Placed in State Libraries for
Free Checkout
Scarborough – Efficiency Maine’s Kill A WattŪ Outreach Campaign kicked off today at the Scarborough Public Library, where local and state officials gathered to highlight the opportunity for Mainers to learn more about the electricity draw of ordinary home appliances and what they can do to reduce their electricity bills.
Mainers can check out the monitors – just like the latest bestselling thriller – take them home and measure the electricity draw of any item in the house. The monitors come with an informational kit on how to use them, and tips on how to reduce electricity use in the home.
Efficiency Maine is a program of the Maine Public Utilities Commission, which is chaired by Sharon M. Reishus. She said the new initiative offers Mainers a unique opportunity to get more educated about energy use at their homes and businesses.
“We hear a lot of unhappy news these days about how energy-use costs us money and does damage to the environment,” she said. “It’s refreshing to be able to offer Mainers something which in a very fun way will help them figure out where the ‘energy thieves’ are lurking, and what to do about it.”
Reishus said Efficiency Maine, a program of the MPUC, has teamed up with the Maine Library Association to distribute the monitors. More than 600 monitor kits will be available at more than 200 state libraries.
The initiative is being supported by a statewide print and radio publicity campaign, distribution of Efficiency Maine’s new energy tips brochure and online at www.efficiencymaine.com, which provides a wealth of information on reducing electricity bills.
Maine Library Association spokesperson and Director of the Scarborough Public Library, Nancy Crowell said the Association was pleased and proud to participate in the Kill A WattŪ campaign.
"Libraries have changed over the years. We are uniquely skilled at forming valuable partnerships with entities throughout our community to leverage our social and economical resources,” Crowell said. “Today we have an exciting new opportunity to partner with Efficiency Maine to help our communities address the high cost of energy in their homes and businesses.”
State Representative and Co-Chair of the Utilities and Energy Committee Jon Hinck (D-Portland) said the take-away message from today's campaign launch was very simple.
"Get one of the Kill A WattŪ monitors and information kits, take them home, see how much electricity your appliances use, and the ones that use the most, turn off when you don't need to have them on. This way you will be saving yourself money as well as helping save electricity," he said.
State wide marketing featuring a whodunit, detective-thriller style narrative will begin next week in support of the campaign.
Commission Chairman Reishus noted that in 2008, Efficiency Maine helped the State save 107,517 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity, a 24% increase in savings from 2007 that’s worth an estimated $122.5 million in lifetime economic benefits. Cumulatively since 2004, Efficiency Maine has provided incentives, technical assistance and other services that will avert the consumption of over three million MWh of electricity—enough to power 46,371 Maine homes for a decade. That will save Maine business and residential consumers more than $310 million in energy costs.
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 Reishus, Commissioner Vendean Vafiades or Commissioner Jack Cashman, please contact Fred Bever at 207.287.6141 or by e-mail at fred.bever@maine.gov. The Commission’s website, www.maine.gov/mpuc may be accessed through the Maine School and Library Network at all public libraries in Maine.
Energy Monitors Avaialable for Free Checkout at Libaries Statewide
