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Portland-based environmental group hopes to convince Maine's political
candidates to pledge support for alternative energy and conservation.
The group, Environment Maine, plans to collect petition signatures and
approach state and congressional candidates with a proposed energy
platform it says would reduce dependence on foreign oil and reduce
global warming pollution. "Our nation desperately needs to change its
course on energy," said Jennifer Anderson of Environment Maine.
Environment Maine's proposed energy platform would, by the year 2025,
reduce American oil use by one-third, increase clean alternative energy
sources to 25 percent of all energy needs and reduce energy required by
buildings and appliances by 10 percent, Anderson said. Elected
officials can help achieve those goals in Maine by continuing to force
cars to be cleaner and more efficient, expanding public transportation
and encouraging alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and
biofuels, she said.
The group doesn't support the development of more nuclear power, saying
it brings a range of other problems and is unnecessary. And it hasn't
taken a position on any specific wind-power projects, such as the
proposed Redington Wind Farm in western Maine.
The group's energy platform has the support of other groups, including
Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Maine Center for Economic
Policy.
"It's clear that making better energy choices today will improve our
health for generations to come," said Dr. Peter Wilk, co-president of
Physicians for Social Responsibility.
Energy policies have come up in the campaign for governor. At a
forum in Portland earlier this month, Republican Chandler Woodcock
defended nuclear power as a long-term energy option and said wind
power, on the other hand, generates minimal energy. Democratic Gov.
John Baldacci, Independent Barbara Merrill and Green Independent Pat
LaMarche all said nuclear power should have no future in Maine, while
wind power should. Only Merrill specifically endorsed the Redington
Wind Farm, however.
Whether that debate expands or spreads into other races could depend on
oil prices, as well as other factors, over the next several weeks,
according to political scientists.
Supporters of Environment Maine's energy platform said falling oil
prices will not eliminate problems such as dependence on foreign oil or
climate change. The dropping prices helps illustrate the volatility in
the market and the danger of remaining dependent on oil, said Ed
Cervone, a policy analyst with the Maine Center for Economic Policy.
"We need to diversify our portfolio so that we can weather ups and
downs (in oil supplies) and create a predictable climate for
businesses," he said.
