According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Maine will be the first state to begin using $6.4 million in federal 2009-10 DOE funds to weatherize homes in January.
The early start to getting the additional funding out will complement the state’s comprehensive efforts to help Mainers deal with heating costs and conserve energy during difficult economic times.
Maine’s increased funding level for weatherization is more than double the amount received during the previous funding cycle.
The Weatherization Program finances basic improvements to the homes of low-income households to make them more energy efficient.
The typical weatherization project will reduce the home’s energy needs by 20 percent to 30 percent, according to officials from MaineHousing, the agency running the DOE program.
According to the DOE, the Weatherization Program creates 52 direct jobs and 23 indirect jobs for each $1 million invested in weatherization work. Since 2008 the Maine State Housing Authority has trained 320 new energy auditors and 95 weatherization technicians.
In addition to DOE weatherization, MaineHousing has allocated $7 million of the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds for weatherization. That funding will make about 1,900 homes more energy efficient. LIHEAP is funded by the federal Department of Health and Human Services.
For more information on the Weatherization Program and other Maine State Housing Authority programs, please visit www.mainehousing.org.
For a comprehensive list of energy information and assistance, please visit www.maine.gov/governor/baldacci/policy/energy.shtml.
The program will make potential incentives worth as much as $6000. With help from a grant from the federal Dept. of Energy, the Maine Small Wind Working Group will bring together stakeholders from around the State to act as an information clearinghouse for Mainers interested in establishing small wind projects.
Efficiency Maine, a program of the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC), will oversee the working group and the incentives for installation of small wind energy systems. The rebates were created under a law to encourage development of wind power projects. The rebate enhancements came through separate actions taken by the Legislature and the PUC.
Rebates provide up to $2000 for qualified residential wind systems and $4000 for non-residential systems that meet program requirements, under rules adopted by the Maine PUC in accordance with recent statutory changes.
Under the pilot program, projects that meet rigorous standards for siting and tower height will be eligible for an additional $2000.
Qualified applications for the new wind incentive program received through the first quarter will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. If demand appears to be on track to exceed available funding after the first quarter, a random selection system may be instituted.
For more information and to download applications, call Efficiency Maine at 1-866-376-2463 and ask for Richard Fortier. For this and other Maine PUC information, visit: www.maine.gov/mpuc/.
Project canopy grants available to support community forestry projects
Project Canopy will award $100,000 in grants this spring to local municipalities, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations that support community efforts to develop and maintain long-term community forestry programs.
Project Canopy, a cooperative partnership between the Maine Forest Service, under the Maine Dept. of Conservation, and the Pine Tree State Arboretum encourages communities to develop project proposals that support sustainable community forestry management, increase awareness of the benefits of trees and forests, and increase the health and livability of communities through sound tree planting and maintenance.
The Maine Forest Service anticipates $100,000 will be available from the USDA Forest Service to support community forestry projects in 2009. Project Canopy has three grant categories for applicants to choose from: Planning and education grants; tree planting and maintenance grants; and, inner city improvement grants.
Project Canopy grants are competitive and require a 50 percent match from the grant recipient in cash or in-kind services. To be eligible to apply for 2009 Project Canopy Assistance grants, all applicants must attend a grant workshop prior to submitting an application.
Grant workshops are scheduled for the first and second weeks of February. They will be held in various locations throughout the state and will cover topics including grant writing, project development, sustainable community forestry management, and grant administration.
Applications must be submitted to the Maine Forest Service by 5 p.m., April 10.
To learn more about the Project Canopy Assistance program and to sign up for a grant workshop in your area, contact Project Canopy at 287-4987. More information is available on the web at http://projectcanopy.maine.gov.
This article is submitted by state Rep. Jonathan McKane’s office, representing Edgecomb, Newcastle, Damariscotta, Bristol, South Bristol and Monhegan Plantation
As always, Rep. McKane encourages constituents sending thoughts, ideas, questions and opinions. Contact him for more information on this or any other issue at 563-5427 or by email at Jon@JonMcKane.com.
