AUGUSTA – Gov. John E. Baldacci awarded six students with iPod Shuffles recently for winning the fourth annual Energy Savings Tip contest.

The contest was open to fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders around the state and asked them to submit the best energy tips in two categories for saving energy in the home and at school. Prizes were awarded to winners of both categories in each grade level.

“Maine is a leader once again on energy,” said Baldacci. “My administration has been encouraging and assisting the appropriate development of the vast renewable energy sources we are fortunate to have in Maine, including: wind, water, wood, tidal, solar and biomass energy. We have come a long way on the road to energy independence, and I will continue to move us in that direction. I am pleased to see that these six young men and women have taken a leadership role in trying to address energy issues.”

The winners were:

. 6th Grade School Tip: Makayla Moors, Central Middle School, Corinth, “Instead of running lights, just open the shades and get natural light.”

. 6th Grade Home Tip: Gino Helm, Kingfield Elementary School, Kingfield, “Buying a refrigerator? Make sure the label says ENERGY STAR.”

. 5th Grade School Tip: James Rose, T.C. Hamlin Elementary School, Randolph, “Keep the computer off if no one is using it.”

. 5th Grade Home Tip: Jordan Drouin, Bay Ridge Elementary School, Cutler, “Insulate the hot water tank so the heat won’t get out and have to use more electricity to reheat it.”

. 4th Grade School Tip: Brian Allen, Hall Dale Elementary School, Hallowell, “Use sensor lights in schools to save money.”

. 4th Grade Home Tip: Jane Carr, Sea Road School, Kennebunk, “Switch to energy saving light bulbs that last longer and save money.”

The fourth annual Energy Savings Tip contest was sponsored by the governor’s Office of Energy Independence and the Maine Public Utilities Commission’s Efficiency Maine program.