NRCM’s position

In your Earth Day editorial on the Clinton administration’s Global Climate Challenge Agreement, you asserted that the environmental community has opposed the increased use of electricity. Your statement does not represent the position of the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

NRCM’s position has been, and remains, the following. First, we should pursue energy efficiency whenever it is cheaper than producing the power from a power plant, dam or even a wind turbine. Cost-effective energy efficiency lowers electric bills, creates jobs in Maine and is the cleanest source of power. Second, we should pursue clean, renewable energy resources such as solar, wind and hydro that are appropriately sited.

Third, we should price electricity to retain and expand electric sales only when electricity is the cheapest and cleanest power source for the job. Electricity is the preferred energy source for lawnmowers and for certain industrial and commercial processes, for example. Electricity should not be promoted when cheaper, cleaner and more efficient fuels are available — such as gas or oil for resistance space and water heat. The indiscriminate promotion of electricity for any and all uses will result in the need to build power plants sooner than necessary, and will increase costs and pollution levels.

By the way, Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. has signed onto the administration’s Climate Challenge Agreement. We hope that Bangor Hydro follows through by increasing its efforts to promote energy efficiency. Beth A. Nagusky Staff Attorney Natural Resources Council of Maine Augusta