Energy efficiency program on hold
By Suzanne Hodgson
Staff Writer
An energy efficiency revolving loan program is one question Kennebunk voters won’t see on the ballot in November.
Selectmen voted during an Aug. 10 public hearing to table the Property Assessed Clean Energy Ordinance, known as PACE, until they learn more about the program.
PACE gives homeowners the opportunity to update their homes with energy efficiency improvements, including new roofing, insulation or windows.
“I would love to have this question on the ballot in November but our concern is the ordinance could set a precedent in the state and we want the precedent to be the right one,” said Sharon Staz, a member of the Energy Efficiency Committee that originally brought the ordinance to the attention of selectmen.
The Energy Efficiency Committee began talking with selectmen about the new program earlier this summer.
Members of the committee changed some of the language in the ordinance to better fit Kennebunk homeowners. However, those changes have not been approved by Efficiency Maine, so the energy committee suggested moving ahead cautiously.
The cutoff date for adding the PACE ordinance to the ballot for the November election was Aug. 10. Selectmen said they wouldn’t add the ordinance because of a few unanswered questions.
“There are so many questions and so much confusion,” said Sassy Smallman, a member of the Energy Efficiency Committee.
The PACE legislation was signed into law in April. It puts $30 million into a revolving loan fund open to homeowners in the state. Each home can be eligible for up to $15,000 in improvements.
Before enrolling in the program homeowners must have an energy assessment. The assessment is repeated after improvements to see how much money is saved on monthly energy bills. That savings amount is used to pay back the loan.
A vote must be held to adopt the ordinance in towns that have selectmen as the governing body because the loan amount is added to the property.
If a homeowner in the program sells the house, the loan stays with the property and the next homeowner will finish paying the loan.
Selectman David Spofford said he was upset the ordinance was being tabled but understood there were still some unanswered questions, including at what percentage rate loans would be repaid.
The one problem with waiting, according to PACE Program Specialist Dana Fisher, is that once the money is gone, it will be awhile until funds become available again.
Arundel also is waiting to act on the ordinance, which selectmen reviewed Aug. 9. Fisher said South Portland, Portland and Saco all have expressed interest in participating in the program.
Kennebunk selectmen said they will table the ordinance until at least June 2011 to let voters and town officials become more informed about the program.
Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.
Staff Writer
An energy efficiency revolving loan program is one question Kennebunk voters won’t see on the ballot in November.
Selectmen voted during an Aug. 10 public hearing to table the Property Assessed Clean Energy Ordinance, known as PACE, until they learn more about the program.
PACE gives homeowners the opportunity to update their homes with energy efficiency improvements, including new roofing, insulation or windows.
“I would love to have this question on the ballot in November but our concern is the ordinance could set a precedent in the state and we want the precedent to be the right one,” said Sharon Staz, a member of the Energy Efficiency Committee that originally brought the ordinance to the attention of selectmen.
The Energy Efficiency Committee began talking with selectmen about the new program earlier this summer.
Members of the committee changed some of the language in the ordinance to better fit Kennebunk homeowners. However, those changes have not been approved by Efficiency Maine, so the energy committee suggested moving ahead cautiously.
The cutoff date for adding the PACE ordinance to the ballot for the November election was Aug. 10. Selectmen said they wouldn’t add the ordinance because of a few unanswered questions.
“There are so many questions and so much confusion,” said Sassy Smallman, a member of the Energy Efficiency Committee.
The PACE legislation was signed into law in April. It puts $30 million into a revolving loan fund open to homeowners in the state. Each home can be eligible for up to $15,000 in improvements.
Before enrolling in the program homeowners must have an energy assessment. The assessment is repeated after improvements to see how much money is saved on monthly energy bills. That savings amount is used to pay back the loan.
A vote must be held to adopt the ordinance in towns that have selectmen as the governing body because the loan amount is added to the property.
If a homeowner in the program sells the house, the loan stays with the property and the next homeowner will finish paying the loan.
Selectman David Spofford said he was upset the ordinance was being tabled but understood there were still some unanswered questions, including at what percentage rate loans would be repaid.
The one problem with waiting, according to PACE Program Specialist Dana Fisher, is that once the money is gone, it will be awhile until funds become available again.
Arundel also is waiting to act on the ordinance, which selectmen reviewed Aug. 9. Fisher said South Portland, Portland and Saco all have expressed interest in participating in the program.
Kennebunk selectmen said they will table the ordinance until at least June 2011 to let voters and town officials become more informed about the program.
Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.
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