Energy Efficiency, Business Competitiveness, And Untapped Economic Potential in Maine

Charles S. Colgan, University of Southern Maine
Samuel B. Merrill, University of Southern Maine
Jonathan Rubin, University of Maine - Main

Abstract

Improving the energy efficiency of Maine’s industry, transportation, residential and commercial sectors is critical to increasing the competitiveness of our economy. Energy efficiency improvements are a cost-effective way to reduce the amount of money spent on energy sources, most of which are imported from other regions of the nation and the world. Energy efficiency improvements also reduce the production of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. Consideration of these environmental impacts is increasingly important for business decision-making.