AUGUSTA — Lawmakers, conservationists and others came out Thursday in support of a plan to promote energy efficiency in schools, businesses and homes. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Phil Bartlett, D-Gorham, would increase rebates and grants for improvements in energy efficiency. It also would require school districts to train facility managers to reduce energy use and promote conservation.

The rebates and grants would be offered through the Efficiency Maine program and be paid for by adding as much as 1 1/2 cents per kilowatt hour to Mainers' electricity bills over the next three years.

Advocates said the Act to Promote Energy Independence in Maine would help residents reduce their electricity bills, make schools and other public buildings less expensive to operate and reduce power plant emissions that contribute to global warming.

"The result will be buildings that stretch our tax dollars further and further," said Sen. Arthur Mayo, D-Bath.

The bill would double the funding for Efficiency Maine. The 2-year-old state program helps fund energy efficiency renovations and equipment in commercial and public buildings and offers rebates to people who switch to fluorescent light bulbs in their homes.

Homeowners and others who apply for the rebates and incentives can quickly save money, even after the added fee on electric bills, advocates said.

"It's basically less than a one-year payback. It's free money," said Bill Donovan, energy manager and educator for Topsham-based SAD 75 and Freeport schools. He looks for ways schools can reduce energy use and seeks state grants to make buildings and equipment more energy efficient. In five years of efficiency upgrades and smarter energy use, he said, School Administrative District 75 has saved $700,000.

"There's a lot of work that can be done here," Donovan said, "a lot of savings."

Gov. John Baldacci plans to unveil his own energy bill in the coming weeks and also will encourage more improvements in efficiency and conservation, said Beth Nagusky, the state's energy director. "It's the first and best defense against high energy prices and it's one thing we have some control over," she said.

But Baldacci has not taken a position on the proposal to increase fees to provide money for conservation incentives. "We will look at Sen. Bartlett's bill closely," she said.

The idea of raising fees is drawing opposition to the bill.

Rep. Kenneth Fletcher, R-Winslow, said encouraging efficiency is a great idea, but not by adding to the already high cost of power.

Fletcher said Maine residents have seen power costs rise rapidly over the past five years - by $250 a year for the average household - because the state doesn't have a plan for diversifying its power sources and controlling costs. The increased fee for efficiency programs would just add to that pain, he said.

"That's another $9 or $10 (a year) we're asking ratepayers to put in on top of a $250 increase," he said. "It may not be the right time."

Staff Writer John Richardson can be contacted at 791-6324 or at:

jrichardson@pressherald.com