WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe will be a charter member of the bipartisan Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, formed this week to encourage use of renewable energy sources and improve energy efficiency.

“Over the past two years, people in Maine and throughout the nation have staggered under the rising costs of home heating oil, gasoline, natural gas and electricity. Clearly, we need to take action to reduce our dependency on imported fuel sources and this new caucus will help us remain focused on ways to expand use of renewable energy sources, while reducing energy use throughout the country,” said Snowe.

The caucus, which will be chaired by Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., is composed of senators interested in sharing information and ideas on renewable energy and energy efficiency issues. The caucus is designed to keep members up to date on energy developments as they affect the country and the state, and to encourage development of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal and biomass.

A companion organization, the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, has organized in the U.S. House of Representatives, with about 150 members.