BUCKSPORT and ORLAND – Looking for simple ways to cut that high electric or oil bill? Business owners and residents will find useful energy efficiency tips and techniques during Energy Savings Days Friday and Saturday, May 18-19, in the Bucksport area.

Friday, May 18:

“Help for Small Businesses with Energy Efficiency” will be the topic 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the Bucksport Bay Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast at MacLeod’s Restaurant.

For reservations, call the chamber at 469-6818 by May 15.

Parents and other residents are invited to attend an assembly at 9 a.m. at Bucksport’s Miles Lane School, where fourth-graders will showcase original skits, poems and songs about their Energy Patrol. Town Manager Roger Raymond will present pupils and teachers with certificates for free compact fluorescent light bulbs from Bucksport True Value Hardware.

The fourth-grade has participated in a Maine Energy Education Program’s Energy Patrol program to “gently cajole other classes into turning off lights and computer monitors,” said teacher Milissa LaLonde. Classes conserving the best get stickers and a polar bear visit.

Envirothon posters from Bucksport High School students will be on display.

Richard Fortier from the Maine State Energy Program will present the results of the municipal building’s energy audit, and Efficiency Maine will award the town a $100 gift certificate at 10 a.m. at the Bucksport Municipal Office. Raymond will talk about the town’s new energy plan and recycling efforts and benefits to the taxpayers.

Orland’s new town office on Schoolhouse Road will be open for a tour at 2 p.m. to show off some of its new energy-saving features.

At all these locations throughout the day, visitors may pick up information on compact fluorescent light bulbs, IRS tax credits for energy savings, and no-cost energy saving and recycling tips.

Saturday, May 19:

Stop into Bucksport True Value Hardware store 9 a.m.- noon to see a display of goods available for energy efficiency improvements. Efficiency Maine will showcase compact fluorescent light bulbs and hand out coupons. Shoppers can pick up info on IRS tax credits and energy saving and recycling tips. Members of the Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities environment and energy committee will answer questions about its work.

At 9:30 and 10:40 a.m. a small bus provided by Laidlaw will leave the hardware store lot for a free tour of two local energy-efficient homes.

At 9:30 a.m. Steve and Ann Norton’s Bucksport home will be open so visitors can learn about passive solar design, insulation and energy-efficient appliance use. The Nortons heat their home with 300 gallons of oil and three cords of wood per year.

At 10:40 a.m., visit Phil and Pam Person’s East Orland home to see energy-efficient appliances and furnace, types of insulation available and other easy, efficient ways to help heat and cool a home and the use of compact fluorescent bulbs.

Clients at Bucksport Community Concerns helped test a Homeowners Energy Savings Quiz this spring. Participants will be awarded a compact fluorescent bulb for their assistance.

Energy Savings Days was planned by the members of the Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities environment and energy committee, a group of 20 residents from Bucksport, Orland and Verona. They represent businesses, schools, municipalities, health officials, and nonprofits, and began meeting last fall.

“It’s good to get local experts on energy and the environment together to learn from each other and help educate citizens on how to use energy efficiently and the importance of the environment,” said chairwoman Pam Person. Energy Days is the first of many projects the group wants to work on, Person said.