[Peacectr_list] Specialty license plate in Maine to fund renewable energy

[Karen Marysdaughter]

        A group of UMaine students and staff are working towards the establishment of a new Maine specialty license plate that would raise funds for community energy projects within the state. In order for the state to produce a new specialty license plate we must first sell plate pre-orders to 2,000 Maine drivers, raising a total of $50,000 for the DMV to cover the start-up costs of manufacturing the plate. 

         Although community energy is an evolving term with multiple definitions we have chosen to define it as: "any action, taken by a group of community members (including non-profits), which results in the production of renewable energy or an improvement in energy efficiency." Some examples of past community energy projects that have been successful in Maine include the group purchasing of energy efficient heat-pumps by citizens of Peaks Island, the window insert building workshops led by WindowDressers of Rockland, and the Solarize Freeport campaign that saved homeowners thousands of dollars on solar system purchases through the power of group buying. Community energy projects bring communities together, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help Maine families save money while meeting their energy needs.

          Due to the magnitude of this task we are seeking to work with other organizations from across the state. I am contacting you to inquire as to whether you or any of your organization’s members (faculty, staff, students, etc.) may be interested in joining this effort to increase funding opportunities for community energy projects in Maine. By helping with this project members will gain the valuable experience of working on a project with ambitious goals, such as generating $50,000 worth of sales. Additionally, it is our hope that members will have an ongoing role in managing the revenue generated by the specialty plate. On average, each Maine specialty plate generates about $240,000 for its cause annually. Funds generated by a community energy plate will be administered by a volunteer board. Several seats on the aforementioned board will hopefully be reserved for organizations who have helped establish the license plate.

          I would be happy to speak with any individuals or organizations who are interested in collaborating on this project. 

Best wishes,
Alicia Oberholzer, alicia.oberholzer at maine.edu <mailto:alicia.oberholzer at maine.edu> 

Karen Marysdaughter, Co-Coordinator
P&J Center of Eastern Maine
96 Harlow St, Suite 100, Bangor, ME  04401
207/942-9343
info at peacectr.org <mailto:info at peacectr.org>
www.peacectr.org <http://www.peacectr.org/>	

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