Legislation passed in 2009 formed the Efficiency Maine Trust to organize the State’s various energy-related programs together under one roof (programs formerly run or coordinated by Efficiency Maine, the Energy and Carbon Savings Trust, and the Energy Conservation Board).
The law also set aggressive goals to cut Maine’s dependence on fossil fuels: to weatherize all Maine homes and half of Maine businesses by 2030, and to cut 30% of electricity use, 30% of natural gas, and 20% of heating fuels by 2020.
This new law created the Efficiency Maine Trust and Board to design, coordinate, and integrate energy efficiency, weatherization, and clean energy programs for all energy consumers in Maine. The Trust will administer funds for energy efficiency and clean energy programs to address both the electricity and heating energy needs of Maine people, as long as they meet tests for cost-effectiveness.
The Trust will direct tens of millions of dollars into weatherization, conservation, and efficiency programs. Despite the fact that more than 80 percent of Maine’s homes and businesses heat with oil, until now there hasn’t been a comprehensive program to help residents and businesses cut heating costs with weatherization programs.
Efficiency Maine Trust Triennial Plan
The Trust’s Board developed a triennial plan to spell out program design, planning, and implementation strategies for all energy efficiency and renewable energy resources, for all fuels, and across all customer classes.
During the fall 2009, the Trust and consultants worked on the plan, and during January 2010, stakeholder meetings were held at various locations around the state to present the plan and solicit public input. The Public Utilities Commission approved the plan in February, 2011.
