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Rockland leads the state in number of PACE loans and projects! Click Here to Apply!

This is exactly what I had hoped would happen: The people of our city would have access to a way to make those needed energy upgrades that save real money. Thank you, Efficiency Maine, and thank you Rockland's Energy Committee and Green Sneakers for helping us make this happen.

Back in March, The City of Rockland hosted an informational evening about PACE...If you want more information.

facilitated by Green Sneakers and Efficiency Maine, with an assist from Rockland's Energy Advisory Committee, 7PM March 30, Council Chambers.

Did you miss the meeting? View it HERE

Rockland is poised to PACE, since the City Council already passed enabling legislation

I sponsored the ordinance, and the Energy Committee worked hard to review the materials, meet with Efficiency Maine, and make a recommendation to council that the ordinance ought to pass.

To Download a Flyer recently provided by Efficiency Maine and Green Sneakers, and find out if PACE is right for you, Click HERE

Okay, so what is it all about?

PACE stands for "Property Assessed Clean Energy". Originally, the program had a lot more to do with your tax assessment than it does now, so don't worry about the name. If you need to know the history, you can go to the Efficiency Maine Website. For now, what you need to know is that Rockland is going to be part of a home improvement loan program that you can get in the amount of 8-10 thousand dollars, to do needed energy upgrades and alternative energy retrofits to your home.

The program is being administered through Efficiency Maine. And here in Rockland, the city council just approved the program, and that means you are going to be able to take advantage of it. If you'd like to read the nitty gritty, you can go to the Efficiency Maine website http://www.efficiencymaine.com/pace

To Download a Flyer and find out if PACE is right for you, Click HERE

I will tell you that the current governor is not moving forward with blazing alacrity to release the funds that are in place to make this happen. I hope I don't have to tell you that this program is going to go by the wayside, like Gateway One just did, because the Governor, while espousing local control, was more interested in taking AWAY local control by taking away Gateway One: probably because Gateway One would allow towns and municipalities to coordinate on sensible and ecological land use planning and transportation initiatives, which you and I know actually BENEFIT business, but, there you have it.

So, stay tuned.

Knox County Home Energy Committee

The Knox County Home Energy Committee recently appeared on WRFR. Representative Ed Mazurek and Commissioner Anne Beebe-Center and many people have been working hard on fuel and weatherization issues, but more help is always needed.

You can call Anne Beebe-Center at 207-594-2060 or Ed Mazurek at 207-594-5647 to get involved, or for more information.

Click Here to listen to the interview!

There is a lot of wonderful information in this interview if you need help, want to help, or know someone who does need help.

Also, please remember to dial #211 if you need help, or to visit www.211.org

211 is the number, and you will find a general clearing house of information concerning many kinds of needs, all in one place. Supported by the State of Maine and many volunteer and ecumenical organizations, 211 is a great first wave resource for helping match resources to people in need, quickly.

What is the Green Economy?

Check out REpower America: Support clean energy. And don't forget to call your Senator and remind her that Green Equals Jobs.

Senator Snowe, toll free in Maine: (800) 432-1599, or her Washington Number: (202) 224-5344

Senator Collins, Washington, D.C. Office (202) 224-2523, Augusta Office (207) 622-8414, Bangor Office(207) 945-0417

The Green Economy is any work that can be identified as helping people to conserve, explore alternative energy, and to practice sustainability.

We've got work ahead of us in Rockland both in the short-term and the long-term. First, we need to help our friends and neighbors to weatherize, and second, we need to be proactive in finding ways that the larger green economy can bring energy and technology jobs to Rockland, Maine.

Many of us have known for some time what we are all beginning to hear in the mass media: we can't base a strong economy on unstable sources of foreign oil. Many countries in the world are beginning to turn this situation into economic advantage: We are on the brink of a whole new economy, one that could potentially bring manufacturing jobs back to America. These aren't your typical "Detroit Steel" jobs. We're talking technology and alternative energy.

Actually, we shouldn't call it "alternative", because soon enough, there won't be an alternative. And that's why Rockland should be getting in on the action, soon. Rockland, you say? Oh, yes! For some background, ehrer are some articles the Bangor Daily News ran on the subject:

October 7, 2008: "Made in the USA"

Click Here

October 8, 2008: "Green Collar Jobs"

Click Here

Green for All

Green For All

Green For All is a national organization that promotes an inclusive green jobs economy. They have successfully pushed for job training to lift people out of povert yand to acquire the new skills needed in the wind, energy retrofit, and solar installation industry, as well as worked tirelessly to bring together grassroots support for clean energy and community energy efficiency.

In September 2008, I got involved with this group, and hosted a green enegy potluck at our house. Everyone brought something made from local ingredients. Lots of peopel came from far-flung places, and lots of people from right in my neighborhood. We signed petitions, took pictures of ourselves eating local apple pie,and scheming about solar panels, and sent it all off to Green For All over the internet. They put us on their website, and sent our messages to congress and the president. We were part of the huge grassroots effort that is now swelling into a real awareness of the need for a total energy overhaul.

Here's the site from then

www.greenjobsnow.com

On September 27, 2008, nearly 700 communities and more than 50,000 people across America sent a clear message to our leaders: "We're ready for green jobs now!"

We can't drill and burn our way out of the current crisis. But, working together, we can invest and invent our way out.

1Sky

www.1Sky.org

1 Sky is devoted to carbon footprint reduction, and climate change awareness education and action.

Check out this ad. 1Sky raised enough money to get it on TV after the second presidential debate. I want you to know that a ten year old wrote the script. I have a ten year old son, and I can tell you that some of these kids know darn well that they are going to have to take charge, if their parents aren't going to get it together.

Click here to view the ad