Words are powerful and have consequences. The same is true for the absence of a word. In this case, a typographical error ”“ the omission of the 3-letter word “and” will cost Mainers $250 million in higher energy bills.
Several weeks ago, two of the three commissioners on the state’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) seized on this clerical error and ruled against the legislative intent of an 11,000-word energy law. Their decision slashed between $40-$80 million in funding to the Efficiency Maine Trust program.
The PUC’s refusal to use common sense in fixing the typo, and their unwillingness to follow the direction of lawmakers, will cause businesses and homeowners to pay more in energy bills and delay efficiency investments.
Over the past decade, Democrats and Republicans have worked together on crafting bipartisan energy policy. Efficiency Maine was born from that bipartisanship. And, as a result, savings from Efficiency Maine projects have totaled more than $1 billion since 2002.
Companies like Hancock Lumber and Moody’s Collision have worked with Efficiency Maine to reduce energy usage and costs, realizing an annual savings of more than $300,000 and $15,000 respectively. Homeowners and multi-unit apartment owners have saved thousands of dollars through Efficiency Maine’s low-interest loans and rebates. Their programs like the PACE loan or cash rebates of up to $5,000 can be used to convert old heating systems to more efficient heating sources, button up houses with insulation, or air seal drafty doors and windows. Track records show that for every dollar invested by Efficiency Maine, $7 are generated in savings for Maine energy consumers. Efficiency Maine is a national model for reducing energy costs.
Unfortunately, if this error isn’t corrected by the Legislature or by the PUC, thousands of Mainers will lose out: Electricity costs will be higher for Maine’s largest industrial companies and families and businesses who rely on heating efficiency programs will see these programs and rebates dry up.
We cannot allow the unraveling of more than a decade of bipartisan efforts.
Recently, Assistant House leader Sarah Gideon offered a simple fix to re-insert the word “and” into the energy law. That effort was rejected by Republican leaders and the bill did not move ahead.
Then, Republican House Leader Ken Fredette proposed a measure that corrects the typographical error but it also goes further by restructuring Efficiency Maine so that Gov. LePage is the overseer of the program with a newly created cabinet-level commissioner. Simply put, this is a bad idea. First of all, Rep. Fredette’s “fix” is nothing more than a power-grab. He is exploiting the clerical error and is playing politics with an issue that is important to Mainers of all political persuasions, from every corner of our state, and from businesses and families alike. Worse, he is going back on his word. Rep. Fredette was one of the key negotiators of that 2013 omnibus energy bill. He along with other Democrats and Republicans negotiated and passed this bill. The intent of the law was clear ”“ and it was agreed upon by all. Instead of standing by his word, he is taking advantage of someone’s typographical error.
I am hopeful that another measure will instead go forward. This one is sponsored by Democrats and Republicans, House and Senate members ”“ and, it does only one thing: It re-inserts the word “and.”
It’s time for Rep. Fredette and his allies to stop tinkering with the livelihoods of the thousands electricians and plumbers who rely on this work; stop holding hostage the homeowners who are ready to install heat pumps, awaiting their $500 cash back rebate and need to save on their monthly heating bills; and finally, stop holding back the businesses whose bottom lines depend on energy efficient investments.
— Sen. David Dutremble represents Senate District 32 which includes Alfred, Biddeford, Dayton, Kennebunkport, and Lyman.
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