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A Publication Featuring The Information Services
Technology of Maine State Government
| Volume VIII, Issue 1 | January/February 2005 |
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By Joy Adamson, PUC
Efficiency Maine is a statewide effort to promote the more efficient use of electricity, help Maine residents and business reduce energy costs, and improve Maine’s environment.
To achieve these goals, the following programs are implemented: State Building Program; Maine Energy Education Program; Business Program; ENERGY STAR Residential Lighting Program; Traffic Signal Replacement Program; Low Income Appliance Replacement Program; Maine High Performance Schools Program; and Training and Educational Program.
To ensure that Efficiency Maine is reaching the targeted audience, a geographic information system (GIS) is utilized. For example, Efficiency Maine uses a database to determine the towns in which participants of Maine’s ENERGY STAR Residential Lighting Program and Business Program reside. In the ENERGY STAR Residential Lighting Program, the number of customers is organized by graduated symbols and overlays the town populations, represented by five population categories in a graduated color. (The ENERGY STAR Residential Lighting Program offers a $2 instant rebate on ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) and $12 off ENERGY STAR qualified CFL fixtures and ceiling fans with integrated light kits.)
For example, certain towns that have considerable populations had a small percentage of residents purchasing CFLs and/or fixtures. With this information, Efficiency Maine can enhance its promotion of the ENERGY STAR Residential Lighting Program in that area.
With the right information and tools, GIS is a wonderful asset to discover where the target audience is and if the marketing is reaching them.
The purpose of maintaining this information in a GIS database is to ensure the program opportunities and benefits are distributed evenly among the state’s population and businesses. |
To find out more about these programs and see if you qualify, please visit the Efficiency Maine website: www.efficiencymaine.com.
Author Joy Adamson is a Utility Analyst at the Maine Public Utilities Commission. She may be reached with questions by e-mailing Joy.Adamson@Maine.gov or by calling 287-8350. In August 2004, Joy joined Efficiency Maine. Previously, she was a Source Water Protection Researcher and Planner for five years at the ME DHHS Drinking Water Program. Joy is a 1999 graduate of the University of Maine at Fort Kent, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Studies. She and her husband live in Belgrade Village and enjoy four-wheeling, camping, and boating.
