Clean, affordable energy
Every time gas and oil go up by $1 dollar, Maine's economy loses a billion dollars that it will never get back. That's unsustainable for our state and our families. Maine has the natural resources to produce affordable energy here at home while producing jobs and being good for the environment.
Offshore Wind Power
Off the shore of Maine there is enough wind to produce several power plants worth of electricity. Moreover, we can do it while creating jobs for Mainers and exporting energy instead of having to importing. I am a strong supporter of the University of Maine's work to develop offshore wind turbines that would be made right here in Maine.
Tidal Power
There are also some exciting developments in getting our ocean to power our state, but from the tides. Maine has some of the largest tides in the world, and one project is looking at how to harness it.
Energy Efficiency
Our homes, businesses, and state have much to gain by cutting back on the energy we use. We can save millions in utilities by insulating and sealing our homes as well as using efficient appliances. Here are resources to help you do it.
More on Clean, affordable energy
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said today that Pika Energy in Westbrook is getting a $875,000 Department of Energy Grant to improve technology for managing electric grids to take advantage of solar power and other sources of clean energy.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said today that Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) headquartered in Portland is getting a $5.35 million Department of Energy grant to finish development of the commercial design of its TidGen Power System. The new design will be tested, operated and monitored in Washington County. This DOE funded project is a critical next step in the eventual deployment of the company's proposed 5MW Maine Tidal Energy Project.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today applauded the meeting of world leaders in Paris this week to negotiate a global strategy for addressing climate change by cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin said today that 14 small businesses in rural Maine will be getting $1.7 million in USDA funding to invest in efficiency and clean energy projects. The grants, through the USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), fund projects like solar panels, anaerobic digesters to create electricity from waste, and thermal conversion systems.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree opposed a bill in Congress today that would dramatically undercut the EPA's ability to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from power plants.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree voted against a bill that would rush through permitting of the controversial Keystone pipeline.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said a new report out today from NOAA and NASA showing that 2014 was the warmest on record highlights the need to focus on cutting back on global warming pollution.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree voted against a bill today that would ram through permitting of the controversial Keystone pipeline, bypassing the approval process that is already underway.
Dirty tar sands oil would flow through proposed pipeline for sale overseas
As Congress went back to work this week, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said she would vote against a Republican bill that would let the TransCanada Corporation bypass environmental permitting requirements to build the Keystone XL Pipeline.