AUGUSTA -- Energy bills that got little attention in recent years will
play a larger role this legislative session, thanks to high gas and oil
prices and supply problems following natural disasters.
Several
bills that cover conservation, efficiency and renewable energy sources
will be considered by lawmakers in the coming weeks. Nationally, the
issue ranks second of the top 10 issues expected to be addressed by
lawmakers this year, according to the National Conference of State
Legislatures.
"There's
probably a better chance for energy bills to move through this
session," said Pete Didisheim of the Natural Resources Council of
Maine. "People are paying closer attention than they have in 20 years."
High
prices have caught the attention of lawmakers and consumers in recent
months in the wake of natural disasters and supply shortages caused by
hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. This week, Gov. John Baldacci
announced an agreement with Venezuelan officials who donated $5.5
million to help pay for heating oil for low-income Mainers.
And last week, the Legislature voted to add $5 million in state money to the same program.
Sen.
Scott Cowger, D-Hallowell, said there may be a need for even more
money. He's concerned he will get calls from constituents who can't
find a way to heat their homes.
"We
have not focused on energy issues for several years now," said Cowger,
a member of the Utilities and Energy Committee. "I think it's long
overdue. We can't wait any longer."
Didisheim
said bills that encourage energy efficiency have the best chance of
getting the votes needed to pass. One initiative would double a fee
paid by electric customers from an average of $10 a year per household
to $20 a year to support a state program that pays to increase
efficiency.
But not all agree that's the best way to go.
Rep.
Kenneth Fletcher, R-Winslow, said the state should look at how it's
spending the $18 million annual allocation to Efficiency Maine to make
sure it's being used efficiently.
He
also said the state needs a comprehensive vision of the future. "Our
goal should be to make Maine consumers the most efficient utilizers of
energy," Fletcher said.
Other
provisions in the same bill, which is supported by 22 environmental
groups, call for schools, municipalities and the state to take steps to
make buildings more energy-efficient.
The
bill requires schools to complete an assessment of their energy
efficiency and take steps to improve it; allows municipalities
flexibility in adopting energy building codes; and requires the state
to monitor efforts in other states to increase the availability of
fuel-saving tires.
Beth
Nagusky, director of the Office of Energy Independence and Security,
said because her office has been in place for two years, the state is
poised to move quickly to find ways to help reduce costs and become
more independent.
"We need to diversify our use," she said.
"The
silver lining of high energy prices is we now have the attention on an
issue that deserves it for economic and environmental reasons."
Two
bills would crack down on price gouging to make sure state laws are
up-to-date if a natural disaster causes price spikes at gas stations,
on emergency supplies, or in electricity costs.
"The
unfortunate truth is our energy situation is even more dire than it was
a year ago or two years ago," said Matthew Davis of Environment Maine.
Davis said the state needs to take action on two fronts: short-term and long-term solutions.
In the long term, renewable energy will be the important focus, he said.
One
bill that moves in that direction seeks to amend the
renewable-resources standards to encourage economic development,
increase the state's use of renewable resources, and reduce
greenhouse-gas emissions.
"Energy efficiency is a short-term fix that benefits the environment and consumers," he said.
