The Serious Scoop on the Efficiency Maine Funding Debate

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The battle over the missing “and” continues, but several proposals suggest that it won’t end the way we reported it would on April Fools’ Day.

The debate began late last month, when Maine’s Public Utilities Commission voted 2-1 to slash energy-efficiency funding based on a strict reading of the 2013 Omnibus Energy Bill. There is bipartisan agreement that the missing “and” was a typographical error and that such a reading contradicts the Legislature’s intent, but no such agreement that a clean fix is the best solution.

Assistant House Majority Leader Sara Gideon (D-Freeport) has proposed a bill that would simply correct the typo and restore Efficiency Maine funding, and at least two Republican legislators have expressed their support for the clean fix.

But Governor Paul LePage has backed competing legislation proposed by House Minority Leader Ken Fredette (R-Newport) that would reinsert the missing word, while also creating a department of energy in the executive branch and giving the governor’s office more power over Efficiency Maine.

Both bills are working their way through the Legislature, so stay tuned. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for stray “ands” in the cellulose.

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South Portland

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Bath

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Melissa S.

Owls Head

Our house still the most efficient home we’ve ever lived in. And we have you folks to thank for that! A special howdy to Brian Robinson please!

Bruce O’Donal and Eva Butler

I waited a year to write this review. Evergreen finished our job late last winter. Terrific results!!! we've gone from 12-day propane deliveries to 30+ day propane deliveries. The house is noticeably warmer. The Evergreen crew was/is professional, prompt, thorough, scientific, gracious and immaculate with respect to keeping our house clean. Money well spent.

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Boothbay

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David Henry Feldman

Bryan, Dave and the entire Evergreen team are wonderfully professional, prompt and thorough. I enjoyed working with them and look forward to continued work as we upgrade our home! Thank you so much for your professionalism, fairness, time and diligence.

Cait

Yarmouth

Evergreen has insulated two homes that we've owned now and both times we experienced exceptional service and craftsmanship. Our rep, Justin, went above and beyond answering questions and the installation team was attentive to every detail, including pulling out old poorly installed insulation and redoing a bathroom fan that wasn't up to current code. They also left the place spotless every day! Our home is already so much warmer this fall and we are looking forward to using less oil this winter.

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Falmouth

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South Portland

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Bridgton

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South Portland

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Pam B.

Brunswick

Very easy process, start to finish.  Friendly, professional, and really know their stuff.  They made some improvements to our condo and we were very happy with how it played out.  Would definitely recommend them.

Clayton Eames

The Evergreen crew from initial inception to installation were professional, on time, and left our place spotless. The end result was exceptional.

John Brown

Greetings one and all! I am writing to express my gratitude to all involved in my insulation project.  From start to finish, I appreciate the universal theme which was maintained by each and every one of you, to ensure that my home was insulated and protected from freezing pipes as if it was your home. Andrea, thanks for helping me navigate my way to the project. Nate, thanks for the thorough initial assessment and the time you took to explain this project to me, step by step. Brian, thanks for setting up my project - so happy

Michele

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