Youth shine in energy contest

Gov. John E. Baldacci awarded six pupils with iPod Shuffles and solar-powered chargers on Dec. 10 for winning the fourth annual Energy Savings Tip Contest. Three of the six state winners are from the Bangor area.

The contest was open to fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders from around the state and asked pupils to submit energy-saving ideas for homes and schools. Prizes were awarded to winners of both categories in each grade level.

Winner for home tip on the sixth-grade level was Aurora Sullivan, a pupil at Leonard Middle School, Old Town, in Mrs. Birmingham’s class. “You could dry laundry outside on a clothesline rather than using a clothes dryer and thereby save electricity.”

The fourth-grade winner for school tip was Erica Turmel, Hermon Elementary School, in Mrs. Caddell’s class. “When we build buildings, we can use energy efficient windows and heating systems, insulation, roofing materials and lighting.”

The school tip winner for the fifth grade was Josie Ford, Bangor Christian School, in Mrs. McDonald’s class. “Don’t use lights when it is sunny because the sun will light the room.”

Other winners were:

. Fourth grade, home tip, Tiffany Mills, Gilbert Elementary School, Augusta, teacher Mrs. Rollins. “Unplug chargers when not using them.”

. Fifth grade, home tip, Reed Bridge-Koenigsberg, Crooked River Elementary School, Casco, teacher Sharon Ridley. “Uninsulated attics can be energy hogs: so, ask your parents to place some insulation on your attic floor.”

. The sixth-grade winner for school tip was Danielle Garry, York Middle School, York, teacher Mrs. Fortier. “Take the school bus to school if you can, then less people will use gas.”

“This winter we are seeing record high prices for home heating oil, diesel and gasoline,” Baldacci said. “Because of this, we are seeing more and more families struggle to make ends meet as we hunker down for what could be another brutally cold Maine winter. We need for everyone to do his or her part and to educate students about the importance of conservation.”

The governor said that the state is trying to encourage energy conservation in addition to providing low-income heating assistance and programs such as “Free Fare Fridays” to help ease the strain of high energy prices. He said that increased energy conservation and renewable resources instead of depending on foreign oil will save money in the long run and make Maine’s economy more secure.

Baldacci honored the pupils for their creativity in trying to identify ways to conserve energy both at home and at school.

The fifth annual Energy Savings Tip contest was sponsored by the governor’s Office of Energy Independence and Security and the Maine Public Utilities Commission’s Efficiency Maine program. For information, visit www.efficiencymaine.com.