By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Officials from Efficiency Maine were on hand earlier this month, hosting a roundtable session at the Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center with various professionals from the community to discuss energy concerns and ways to address them.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
Energy efficiency was the topic of a roundtable discussion facilitated by Efficiency Maine officials earlier this month in Presque Isle. EM officials pictured at the meeting, from left, are: Peter Roehrig, community and government relations, and Rick Meinking, business program specialist.
Making the trip up from Hallowell for the organization were Peter Roehrig, community and government relations specialist, and Rick Meinking, business program specialist.
“We came to hear about your experiences in energy consumption and what your burdens are as businesses and home owners. We’re interested in encouraging new industry, as well as the opportunities available in education and training,” said Roehrig. “We want to help businesses keep jobs in the state.”
Roehrig said with Efficiency Maine’s help, ratepayers have been able to save $470 million over the last three years.
“This is a reinvestment in Maine’s economy,” he said.
“We’re interested in finding ways to increase participation in the County,” said Roehrig, noting as he and Meinking traveled north, they couldn’t help but notice gas prices were up to 30 cents higher than areas downstate. “We offer residential programs. We want to find quality partners in the region.”
According to Roehrig, Meinking has over 25 years’ experience, primarily in small commercial and institutional buildings. The men hoped the meeting would give them a “sense of what Efficiency Maine can do to stimulate or facilitate programs.”
“We have a unique position of looking to give money away. It’s a huge goal we have,” said Roehrig.
Those in attendance included officials from Maine Public Service Company, the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce, city officials, developers, representatives from Northern Maine Community College and the University of Maine at Presque Isle, and business owners.
Ken Arndt, Presque Isle’s director of planning and development, who also operates a small business, said he was hoping to find a way to save money.
“As a small business owner, 10-15 percent of my cost of doing business goes to oil, electricity. I’m looking for more ‘green’ (energy) to replace it,” said Arndt.
Larry Clark, executive director of the Industrial Council, expressed interest in finding ways to reduce energy costs at the Industrial Park.
“I’ve used your program for lighting. We lease about 700,000 square feet at the Industrial Park and would like to find more ways to save,” Clark said.
Presque Isle business owner Leo Freeman, Perception of Aroostook, said he was seeking “help on some projects in the works.” Jim Stacey, owner of the Crow’s Nest, also in Presque Isle, said he was “looking for energy savings for heat and electrical.”
“We’re using about 250 100-watt (bulbs) on a dimmer system. I don’t know if anyone would be interested in buying together,” said Stacey. Roehrig suggested Stacey work with the Chamber to find others to partner with to purchase in bulk.
Don Zillman, president of UMPI, said his campus was doing everything possible to “go green.” In addition to the wind turbine, UMPI also plans to install solar panels on Pullen Hall.
Leah Buck, on behalf of NMCC, said a number of training programs are now offered at the college and the facility “had recently partnered with Efficiency Maine for more programs.”
Meinking said his agency has funds available to help communities and businesses reduce their energy usage.
“Efficiency Maine is funded through a system benefit charge on electric meters. As the fund grows, money is provided to EM for electrical measures. We also now have natural gas funds to use as an incentive,” said Meinking.
“We have a great desire to help small businesses, including through our small business audit loan program. If you want to go forward with a project, we give a 1 percent loan. That loan is designed (for the property owner) to take some recommendations from the audit and move forward,” he continued. “That loan program is ‘fuel neutral.’ It can be used for boilers, pellet stoves — but is not available to larger businesses and requires an audit with the application.”
Roehrig and Meinking recognized one participant who has benefited from EM’s services and funding. Al Cyr, owner of Leisure Gardens, worked with EM to upgrade lighting, with plans to continue working with the agency to find ways to save more in the future.
“We’re looking to provide incentives to businesses and homeowners to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption,” said Roehrig.
Clark said the city owns several businesses in the community that are leased through the Industrial Council. He questioned who would have to apply for a loan, in such a case.
“The owner has to apply. If the tenant wants to apply, it would require a sign-off from the owner to do so,” Meinking explained.
Roehrig said EM has also worked closely with homeowners over the past year, saving them thousands of dollars.
“The program’s only a year old. Since it went into effect, we retrofitted 1,700 homes, saving $1,000 a year in energy costs per household,” said Roehrig. He said the savings were made possible through a variety of upgrades, “from replacing heating boilers, solar/thermal windows and doors.”
“We’re really proud of the program,” he said.
Miles Williams, manager of customer service at MPS, questioned how auditors qualify. Meinking said certain training is required and that EM will work with places like NMCC to provide the necessary training.
The group also discussed the increased use of CFL light bulbs as a way to save energy, with Williams advising those present that there was “a warning sent out regarding CFL bulbs from China that burns out at the base.”
“Over 1 million CFLs were sold last year and it’s hoped that number will reach 2 million this year,” said Roehrig.
Meinking said currently there are only 16 EM staff members to cover the state, the rest are contractors. As more individuals become qualified auditors, the number of people able to assist with upgrades will grow.
“We’ll increase our presence through qualified partners. We’ll discuss more on that at our April 20 event,” said Roehrig.
EM will hold a qualified partner training meeting on Wednesday, April 20, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Northeastland Hotel in Presque Isle. Lunch will be provided. To reserve a seat, call 866-376-2463.
