Supporters launch statewide ‘Maine’s Energy Future’ tour

    To coincide with the introduction of the landmark Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act in the U.S. Senate, a broad coalition of Maine-based supporters launched “Maine’s Energy Future” tour — with stops at destinations throughout the state — to urge passage of comprehensive climate change and clean energy reform in Congress.     The clean-energy bill was introduced in the Senate Wednesday, Sept. 30. It would reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, stem the devastating effects of global warming and create a clean-energy economy that would generate tens of thousands of new jobs in Maine and around the country.
    The tour kicked off Wednesday, Sept. 30, with community discussions in Rockland, Baileyville and at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, which built a $2 million wind turbine that will save electricity costs and reduce the campus’s greenhouse gas emissions. Upcoming stops on the tour include community public forums in Saco and Portland and house parties in Bangor, Belfast and Orono.
    The coalition includes the Natural Resources Council of Maine, 1 Sky Maine, Maine League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club and Repower Maine. Members hailed Wednesday’s introduction of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act as critical progress towards the new clean energy and climate policies that will put America back in control of its economic and security future, make the country more energy independent and create thousands of new jobs by harnessing clean energy.
    “This bill puts America back in control of its energy future and makes America more secure while creating 1.7 million new jobs, including 10,000 here in Maine,” said Rep. Alex Cornell du Houx, who represents Brunswick in the Maine Legislature. “We need to support clean-energy solutions that reduce carbon pollution so that we’re not sending billions of dollars to hostile regimes which puts our security at risk.”
    Americans overwhelmingly are demanding action by lawmakers to stem the devastating effects of global climate change and reinvigorate our economy by investing in renewable sources of energy like tidal, wind, solar and biomass. A Zogby International poll released in August showed that a majority of American voters — 71 percent — strongly support House-passed clean energy and climate legislation, citing the job growth that would result from enacting new clean-energy policies.
    According to the Center for American Progress, transitioning to a clean-energy economy will create more than 10,000 jobs in Maine. And a recent report by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that comprehensive clean energy and climate policies can save Maine households $1,550 a year by 2030. According to the American Wind Energy Association, Maine’s wind energy resources could produce enough electricity to power more than 2.5 million homes.
    Maine Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins are expected to be important leaders in helping shape the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act so that it gives a major boost to Maine’s clean-energy economy.
    “By passing comprehensive clean energy and climate policies, we’ll put America back in control of our economic and security future, make our nation more energy-independent and create millions of new jobs by harnessing clean-energy sources that are made in Maine and that work for Maine,” said Andrew Kain, state director for Repower Maine, a project of the Alliance for Climate Protection.  
    Kain continued, “Our dependence on foreign oil hurts our economy, aids our enemies and puts our national security at risk. The big oil companies, their lobbyists and their front groups spend millions to protect their record profits and maintain the status quo, but Maine knows it’s time for change. This is an incredible opportunity to declare America’s energy independence, put our economy back on track and leave a healthier planet for future generations.”
    “It is important for our communities to be aware of the importance of contacting our federal senators and representatives about energy policy,” said state Rep. Joan Welsh, of Rockport, who co-hosted Wednesday’s event at the Unitarian Church in Rockland. “This current federal energy bill is critical to the future of our country, our towns and cities and our families. I know how much a letter, phone call or e-mail helps shape decisions, so I encourage all to take the time to write or call.”
     Upcoming stops on the “Maine’s Energy Future” tour include: Portland on Oct. 1; Ellsworth, Oct. 4; Portland, Oct. 5; Saco on Oct. 8; a Portland house party on Oct. 11; Belfast, Oct. 13; a house party in Buckfield on Oct. 14; Portland, Oct. 15; Greene community discusion, Morse Memorial Library on Oct. 15; a Bangor open house Oct. 19; a meeting Oct. 20 in Jay; Scarborough Public Library on Oct. 23; and Richmond, Oct. 28.
    For more information, contact Andrew Russell, Repower Maine, at 251.5363,  or  e-mail andrew.russell@climateprotect.org.
     Organizers of the events encourage participants to call or write Maine Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and urge them to support comprehensive energy reform. The toll-free number to call is 877-9-REPOWER.