New England States for CHANGE

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Comment by Michael Teitsch on August 21, 2008 at 7:35am

I am wondering what it is I can do to help promote
the plan, etc and get involved - also looking for ways to find employment that is in an area connected to sustainability.

Comment by mhahn on August 1, 2008 at 2:00pm

How many CNG buses run in metro cities in New England? I know San Diego runs on CNG buses and has an extensive Electric trolley system. Also, how many homes in New England are heated or could be heated using NG? NG is about 1/2 the cost of home heating oil, burns cleaner( thus better for air quality) and very safe. This is something that could be demanded right now and is available.

Comment by Susan B on July 29, 2008 at 4:55pm

Email reply to me from Senator Susan Collins

Dear Ms. Bourgoine:



Thank you for contacting me to express your support for T. Boone Pickens' energy plan and offer your views on tidal and wind energy. I appreciate your taking the time to do so.



The high cost of oil has imposed tremendous hardships on Maine families, truck drivers, farmers, fishermen, schools, small businesses, mills and factories. Soaring energy costs are also a major cause of the downturn in our economy. We need a balanced, comprehensive national energy policy that addresses our immediate problems and future needs. The ultimate goal of this policy should be American energy independence, which means expanding our energy supply and capabilities here at home, developing clean and affordable alternative and renewable energy sources.



At my invitation, T. Boone Pickens, founder and CEO of BP Capital Management, testified on July 22 before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Mr. Pickens' plan involves producing energy from wind in the Midwest region and increasing the use of natural gas for transportation.



Some of the best ideas about what we need to do now and over the next five years to address our nation's energy crisis are coming from people right here in Maine. Among those who testified at our hearing was University of Maine professor Dr. Habib Dagher. Dr. Dagher discussed the potential for wind power to supply as much as 40 percent of the nation's energy. Offshore wind production that is out-of-sight from land would provide an affordable source of renewable energy directly to population centers on each coast while supplying thousands of new jobs. In addition, it would expand Maine's electricity supply so that people could transition away from using oil.



Maine is positioned to take a leading role in the development of this tidal power. The U.S. wave and tidal energy resource potential that reasonably could be harnessed is about 10 percent of national energy demand. In Maine, a consortium of the University of Maine, Maine Maritime Academy and industry is positioned to become a key testbed site for tidal energy devices.



Maine also has a large supply of wood that could be used as an energy source. On January 30, 2008, I joined my colleague, Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), in introducing S. 2576, the Clean Stove Act. This legislation will provide a $500 tax credit for replacing an old, inefficient wood stove with a clean burning wood or wood pellet stove. These stoves dramatically reduce both indoor and outdoor air pollution, use up to 50 percent less wood for the same amount of heat, and utilize one of Maine's renewable resources.



I have an energy plan to better protect ourselves from high energy prices in the short term and take actions to achieve energy independence in the long term. Actions in my plan include eliminating needless tax breaks that benefit big oil companies and redirecting that revenue to support the development of clean and reliable sources of energy such as wind and solar energy, and support the goal of American energy independence by the year 2020. I have attached a summary of my plan for your review that provides more details about some of the key provisions.



Americans face difficult challenges as a result of the current energy crisis, and we must work together to create a comprehensive, long-term policy that will stabilize gas and oil prices, prevent energy shortages, and achieve national energy independence. I have called for the goal of energy independence by the year 2020. As the Senate continues to consider energy legislation, I will work to advance these objectives and support policies that benefit Maine families. Again, thank you for contacting me and sharing your views regarding this critical issue.

Comment by Mike Anthony Fernald Sr. on July 25, 2008 at 9:56am

Hey Maine
Where are you??

We can all start by putting a Powersave 1200 Unit on our Electric Panel. Save up 25% on your Ele bill, Then eventually put a Roof Top Windmill or Solar Panels.
Go here www.powersave.com and Check them out.If you are Close I can send you My electrician.

Mike Anthony

Comment by Susan B on July 24, 2008 at 6:06pm

Sample Letter you can send to your reps.


Dear Senator or Representative:

We the people of the United States of America deserve a coherent energy policy that looks toward an energy independent future.

There are numerous examples of nations working toward energy independence. Brazil, for example, has already achieved this goal through sugar cane ethanol and increases in their domestic drilling program, resulting in stable fuel prices not subject to international fluctuations. Please note that many Brazilian alternative fuel vehicles are manufactured by Ford and General Motors but are not available for purchase in the United States.

Iran has initiated a government-subsidized program to convert all cars to natural gas or bio-fuel (natural gas and gasoline) capability, and to make both fuels available at filling stations.

China’s alternative fuel of choice is methanol. It’s more corrosive than ethanol but doesn’t require organic food sources to produce, instead being made from coal, natural gas, organic or industrial wastes, or even power stations’ smokestack emissions, reducing greenhouse gases and fueling cars at the same time.

There are many other nations that are either working toward energy independence or have already achieved it, including Iceland, India, Israel, Denmark, and Sweden. The too-often vocalized opinion that the United States is incapable of achieving this same goal is absurd.

For too long we have been hostage to external influences over which we have no control. Reliance upon foreign oil has allowed the politics of our international friends no less than those of our enemies to undercut our economic and industrial freedom. This must stop.

Also for too long we have been polluting our own land, air, and water. All forms of toxic emissions must be reduced to preserve a heritage for our descendants.

The elements for energy independence and a more livable environment are present throughout America, including natural gas, wind and solar power, and nuclear energy. The necessary technology is readily available to achieve this goal, allowing for electricity generation and transportation needs by alternative and cleaner means. All that has been lacking is a logical plan to put these pieces together and the leadership to see it through.

Such a plan has recently been proposed by Mr. T. Boone Pickens. As a citizen of these United States, I ask you to support the modify Pickens Plan in your sphere of political influence and to help us achieve energy independence for now and for our children’s future. Enclose is copy of modify Pickens’ plan

Sincerely,




Our Plan that we would like to be enacted into legislation

1. We need a modern, updated national grid system capable of handling alternative energy sources from multiple providers as advocated by the Pickens Plan. We propose that Congress legislate this national grid for harvesting wind, solar, and other power sources from appropriate locations, including the interior wind corridor, offshore wind sources, the solar corridor in the Southwestern states, and others as established through ongoing research and development. Design and preparation for upgrades and/or new construction should be undertaken in the next 24 months, financed by Federal loan guarantees and a $500Bn grant building program.
2. We need a national net metering standard enacted for all states.

Discussion: Net metering is a tariff that allows you (the people) to have your own renewable energy system located at your house or place of business, allowing you to generate electricity on your premises and trade it against your power usage. Essentially, this means your power meter would run backward when you generated power.

A tariff limitation of 10 kW or 100 kW, as is the case in some states, is generally too small for many businesses. The limitation is tied to transmission line capability, and a recent study conducted in Oregon concluded that 2 MW is an appropriate limitation standard. Several states, including California, Nevada, Oregon, and now New York, have already enacted that standard.

Solution: Make 2 MW the national standard for the net metering tariff limitation and apply it both to individual premises, such as residences or businesses, and to community solar or wind parks.

3. We need community solar and wind farms, not only to supply power within local load and service areas, but also to supply electricity to the grid through net metering. However, the current definition of “customer” in the concept of net metering limits its application to individual locations, such as a residence or business, and does not allow for the application of community co-ops. We need to change that definition to allow for such local initiatives within load and service areas, and to allow for orderly grid management of distributed energy systems.

4. We need a comprehensive incentives program, much like the Europeans but different. We need an energy trust of $50Bn, to be managed by the states, as incentives for individuals, businesses, and industries. These incentives can take the form of either tax credits or rebates to encourage the adoption of the renewable energy technology.

5. We have the technology today for wind and solar energy production, and private venture groups are funding all manner of systems. For example, organic dyes developed by the MIT and new work by spectral spitting by the University of Delaware have the potential for solar efficiencies 50%. In addition to these private groups, the Department of Energy has enacted a $10Bn loan guarantee program, which in June 2008 entered its second round of solicitations. We need to support this program. As well, the SBA’s Office of Technology includes award programs to encourage high-tech and alternative energy research and development projects among America’s small businesses. We need to pass their new Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs to provide $300K for phase I (startups) and $2.1Mn for Phase II (expansion and evaluations) with a national goal of $2Bn for these programs.

6. We need a real incentive, not only for American manufacturers to develop more fuel-efficient and alternative energy cars for the American marketplace, but also for Americans to buy and drive these cars.

Discussion: Today Americans are faced with increasing inflationary pressures on their pocketbooks, with higher prices in the areas of energy, food, clothing, and housing. Many Americans are unable to purchase more fuel-efficient cars or convert their current cars to run on alternative fuels. Currently available and future alternatives include the 30 electric car companies in America, some of which have products ready for the market, as well as large automobile manufacturers with forward-looking NG, Flex, hybrid, and electrical cars.

Solution: We need a Federal tax credit ranging from $4K to $16K to assist with the cost of upgrading American automobiles to a minimum mileage of 35 MPG, with an additional $1K credit for every 5 MPG increase above that level.

In addition, the current tax credit of $4K for converting a vehicle from burning gasoline to natural gas should be increased to 50% of the cost of conversion over a three-year period.

7. Remember the "War Bonds" of the past. A nation at war came together and with the little they had they all tried to help in that cause. This is the people's war on terror! The terror middle-class America is being "vaporized" right in front of our eyes! You don't need world coverage by CNN. You are living in the war zone each day! You know it’s real.

We issue bonds rather than buy stock in the Plan's projects. We all "lend" a little money each paycheck and buy an "Energy Bond". This gives a small earning to the investor and does not breed greed nor dreams of "making a killing" on this. If it booms, the boom is for the nation. If it flops you're not going to lose your house, 401K and first-born son over it either.

Propose the Bonds be issued in $50 increments and sold for 1/2 that face value. They are fully redeemable (100% of face value, double your investment) in 15 years. That is not a good return, but this is a cause, not a for-profit matter. Maybe the experts can correct this and a better return could and should be paid.

To promote nationwide we could offer "energy bonds" through automatic payroll deduction at our jobs. Getting out to the employers that will profit from the energy savings in their businesses has a double effect. First we are selling business people on the concept (they have influence) and it creates the avenue to promote the sale of bonds in a automatic, repetitive manner. We could offer "energy bonds" for special occasions so people give them as gifts for graduations, birthdays and weddings. This will create great media attention and goodwill.

They always say "nations have the governments they deserve". We have become weaker and less committed as a nation over the years. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to come back strong. Not with the "war against terror" that is dividing us more and more each day. Let’s take our nation back from the hands of politicians and place it in our own hands. Let’s demonstrate to the world we are a SUPERPOWER not with MIGHT but rather with WILL to conquer this challenge of the 21st century. Let prove we deserve to be the envy of the world because WE ARE A PEOPLE THAT CAN GOVERN ITSELF! Let’s earn the worlds RESPECT for reaching together this accomplishment.

Many, many details of implementing an "Energy Bond" safely must be worked out by much more knowledgeable people than me to make it legal and assure no misuse or abuse of the money occurs. Maybe the bonds could be issued by a Trust Fund created to hold these monies and to fund projects that meet the Pickens Plan's objectives and certain criterion to be determined by a Board of Trustees or some other mechanism.

The important thing is the concept... a nation behind and idea, willing to share. the risk, and reaping the benefits of accomplishing it!

8. Finally, we need to enact a 10-year Production Tax Credit for wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources, forcing an end to the “stop and go” policy of past Congresses.




Great idea. I was a kid in grammar school during WWII. As part of the war bond drive we were issued booklets into which we could paste 25 cent Liberty stamps. We'd buy a stamp once a week or so and when you filled up the booklet, you turned it in for a War Bond. Why not do the same today. Lets get everyone involved in the war for energy independence

Comment by Marc Freeman on July 24, 2008 at 4:59pm

Greetings from North Central Mass!

I was extremely excited to learn about PickensPlan and New England States For Change!

It's really sad that it has taken such drastic cost increases for energy for people in the US to wake up and do something about it. If we had banded together 10 years ago, we would have avoided this problem altogether.

I am heartened by the responses and sign-ups so far. I just hope that these groups can muster enough political pull to make some big changes happen!

For my part, I've done many of the things listed for energy conservation at home, and have drafted my kids into the energy conservation movement.

At work, aside from promoting energy conservation at the site level, I am also working on convincing upper management that it would be in everyone's best interest to base all employees at the closest job site to their home as possible. Believe it or not, this isn't standard operating procedure at my (or most!) businesses!

My largest personal goal is to install both a solar thermal and PV array on my home so that my family can become energy independent. In combination with the Chevy Volt (www.gm-volt.com) that I plan on purchasing around 2010 when they come out, that should reduce our foreign oil consmption to about zero!

I look forward to hearing about others' plans and ideas while surfing these sites!

Comment by C M on July 22, 2008 at 10:25pm

Hi Kristen, interesting, I did not know Mass blocked wind power in those areas.... wow. WELL I agree they should solve this and do it quick BUT you know, politics and red tape etc.... meanwhile we can lower our usage of all power and fuel, find other ways such as pellet stoves/boilers for heat and hot water (cheaper and cleaner than wood or oil), solar for heat and water, and also lower our consumption all around.

Has anyone tried to form a group to SUE them for the right to have wind power?

Interestingly I was complaining to a customer about how much EVERYTHING is going up in price all due to fuel costs, as my food bill and every other bill is up due to it, and prices at the stores for any goods is up and so is delivery and service calls since folks have to put gas in the trucks to get here.... and I said how we are headed for a major financial crash in the US, and they said
WELL WE ARE GLAD TO HEAR IT. IT IS ABOUT TIME. WE FOLKS HERE IN CANADA HAVE HAD GAS HIGHER THAN THAT FOR YEARS, AND ALL OUR GOODS AND PRODUCTS COST LOTS MORE THAN YOURS.
(but we also decided base wages are HIGHER in canada for labor market etc)

SOOOOO of course I said ---- WHY IS IT GOOD THAT THE US IS FALLING APART?
and my guy from canada said WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THE US TO HAVE ALL OUR PROBLEMS WITH THE ECONOMY BECAUSE SINCE THE US IS A SUPERPOWER THEY WILL FIX IT ALL AND WHEN THEY FIX IT THEN WE CAN FIX OURS!!!!
I asked DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT?
He said YES MANY OF US CANADIANS SAY THIS.

Shocker!

I do not have the faith that he seems to have that the US is a superpower and will fix it!!! I know all of us "regular folk" would have no problem suggesting, voting and getting it done to fix it... BUT the politicians and powers that be are NOT THAT BRIGHT and they all are under someones thumb and in someones wallet so it will NEVER happen by itself.

SO I AGREE WE THE PEOPLE need to do something... FOR STARTERS if I lived where WIND was possible but BANNED I would be threatening to MOVE.... imagine slews of people packing it up for a place where alternative energy was real? I think they would have to change the plan.... LOL.
Drastic measures.... ideas...

SEND COPIES of weekly gas bills, monthly heat/electric/hotwater/gas bills etc to the politicians... piles of bills on their desks each day....

bring a lawn chair to the local public office building and bring lunch, family etc and "camp out" under some nice AC since we cant afford our own.... same action/same thing for 'use their hot water to wash up in the bathroom"
LETS all go out to the public offices etc and HOLD SIGNS begging for change to help heat our homes.... WILL WORK FOR FOOD / ELECTRIC / GAS signs etc....

DEMAND our govt officers ride trains, bus, bikes to work instead of using GOVT VEHICLES at our expense....

Swamp the local public assistance with forms asking for heating/utility bill help/food stamps etc (even if not eligible) in order to show that many folks are BROKE after paying for fuel.

And lastly for this moment, I think many folks like myself would switch immediately to alternative options is we HAD SOME FUNDING OPTIONS.... it is not cheap to switch over and our govt is not helping there either... ? They will make TV run ads for over a year to warn folks that TV is going digital, and they are making payments for the gadget needed to ensure everyone has TV ..... BUT HEAT OR ELECTRIC? NAH... no help there, no concerns there... no worries there.
I LOVE the idea that PICKENS has gone HUGE on the media it is like going over the heads of the govt fools. His idea of an ARMY is so right, we need to MARCH ONTO THE WHITE HOUSE and demand changes.... ok enough for me for now... cm

Comment by C M on July 22, 2008 at 9:56pm

Topics today of course lead us back to high fuel rates... what are you doing to reduce oil usage, in vehicle, home, business, etc.?

I have stopped "running into town" for one or two items, instead I make sure I get it on a once a week shopping trip AND when I do forget something or need something, I ASK SOMEONE ELSE already going into town to pick it up for me, I save at least one gallon of gas each way, almost 10 bucks each trip saved.... huge.

As far as at home or business, my home and business properties are the same. I have researched and will be getting a PELLET BOILER SYSTEM for my building.... thus NO OIL USAGE anymore for heat nor hot water, my cost would have been 16 to 20 thousand dollars this coming winter for fuel oil.,.. instead I will spend about 5 to 7 thousand on pellets... HUGE savings.... I will almost earn my cost of the boiler back in the first year!!!! It is a no brainer... I wish I could have a windmill but I was told it would cost near 100k to get the size I need here and I would have still done it but I cant be guaranteed there is enough wind here.... 100k outlay would mean FREE ELECTRIC AND HEAT for my whole building FOREVER..... I would have earned that cost back within 4 years easily at todays oil and electric costs. SO... if I had just a house and not a commercial building here, I would have gotten a 10k dollar windmill for my house and given it a try.
MAYBE someday we will have CHEAP windpower available to all of us.... sigh sigh. -cm

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW TO HELP?

Comment by Kristen Harden on July 21, 2008 at 4:53pm

The question is what are we going to do. Mass blocked wind power in the Cape, RI is refusing to get water power underway. We need to get a plan that the people of New England can execute quickly.

Comment by Heidi Hall on July 21, 2008 at 2:46pm

Great to meet others from New England:-) I would love to answer any questions about grid tied solar for your home. We really need this!

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