An Act To Reduce Maine's Dependence on Oil
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0553
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: FITTS, BARTLETT, HINCK, KNAPP, GOODALL, KATZ, RECTOR

Legislative Document 
No. 553 
H.P. 436 
House of Representatives, February 15, 2011 
An Act To Reduce Maine's Dependence on Oil 
Reference to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered 
printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative FITTS of Pittsfield. 
Cosponsored by Senator BARTLETT of Cumberland and 
Representatives: CORNELL du HOUX of Brunswick, HINCK of Portland, KNAPP of 
Gorham, McCLELLAN of Raymond, Senators: GOODALL of Sagadahoc, KATZ of 
Kennebec, RECTOR of Knox. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
CONCEPT DRAFT 
SUMMARY 
This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208. 
This bill proposes that the Efficiency Maine Trust, with input from stakeholders, 
develop a plan to reduce Maine’s dependence on oil.  The plan must include targets for 
reducing Maine’s total oil consumption that equal the maximum economically achievable 
oil savings.  The targets may not provide less than a 30% overall reduction in oil 
consumption from 2009 levels by 2030 and a 50% overall reduction from 2009 levels by 
2050.  In establishing these targets, the Efficiency Maine Trust and stakeholders shall 
consider: 
1.  The future oil and gasoline costs to the drivers, homeowners, industries and 
businesses in Maine, as well as the environmental and national security effects of Maine’s 
oil dependence and the local economic development opportunities, including job creation 
potential, of improving energy efficiency and moving to clean, renewable, made-in-
Maine energy sources; and 
2.  The potential of oil savings from the following strategies to improve energy 
efficiency and move to clean, renewable energy: 
A.  Shifting freight transported in Maine from trucks to other transportation modes, 
including rail and marine transportation; 
B.  The rapid deployment of electric vehicles, through a combination of policies that 
include comprehensive planning with utilities, investments in electric vehicle 
infrastructure, consumer tax incentives and targeted deployment communities; 
C.  Establishing rebates or other consumer incentives for retiring older, inefficient 
vehicles; 
D.  Coordinating land use and transportation planning to encourage growth in areas 
accessible by walking, biking and public transportation; 
E.  Expanding and investing in public transportation, including bus transit and light 
rail, and offering incentives for commuters to use public transportation where 
available; 
F.  Transitioning to renewable energy for heating, including energy from off-shore 
wind, solar, geothermal, tidal and sustainable biomass; 
G.  Achieving home and commercial weatherization and efficiency improvements 
including and in addition to those included in the Efficiency Maine Trust’s triennial 
plan; 
H.  Establishing additional policies and incentives for industrial efficiency 
improvements, including replacements of industrial boilers and other steps to reduce 
petroleum consumption; and 
I.  Adopting other strategies that can help enable Maine to achieve the oil-reduction 
targets. 
The Efficiency Maine Trust shall report to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, 
Utilities and Technology by February 2012 with recommendations for short-term and 
mid-term policies needed to achieve the overall reductions in oil use, including 
recommendations for specific legislative actions.  The recommendations must require 
that, by January 15, 2014 and by January 15th every 5 years thereafter, the Governor's 
Office of Energy Independence and Security shall evaluate the State’s progress toward 
meeting the oil-reduction goals and make additional recommendations to the joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy, utilities and 
technology matters as necessary to ensure that the State can meet the reduction goals.