12/09/2007
enlarge
Staff photo by Jeff Poulandfrom the Kennebec Journal
Finding shelter for those who serve their nation
Immigrant recalls her special greeting
State gains $85M in Homeland Security funds
Man arrested after swerve toward cop
School unit in limbo
Rain? What rain?
LEE LATCHES ON WITH THOMAS
Modern camping equipment takes it to the extreme
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
Civil War-era flag finds honored position
Residents wonder if the rain will ever go away
FAIRFIELD Sewage plant rejection irks man
Winslow's fireworks guy doesn't mind the obscurity
At holiday derby, the fun is catching
Vets' champion 'very passionate' about her work
Hersom deals with change
Sandals work for outdoor types
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
"How much?" the Grove Street resident asked. "Free? That's pretty good. I was just thinking about getting a bunch."
At that, Iver Lofving of Skowhegan and William Basford of Benton launched into an explanation of the benefits of the bulbs, how much energy they save, where to install them and where they can be purchased cheaply in bulk.
The two men, along with Thomas Berger of Oakland, were on a mission to interest people in saving energy -- beginning with spiral, energy-efficient light bulbs.
Calling their effort "The Light Brigade," the men had collected nearly $160 in donations to purchase bulbs and other people had purchased the light bulbs and donated them, according to Basford.
"We had 70 at the (Universalist Unitarian) church and another 80 to give away door-to-door," Basford said. Among big donors was John D. Joseph, who gave $100 toward the bulbs, he said.
On Saturday the three men met at Jorgensen's restaurant on Main Street and set out to deliver the bulbs free of charge, figuring it would take about two hours. They will deliver more as they become available.
People such as Bouchard and Chastity Stewart agreed the time has come to be more energy conscious.
"Thank you. I think this a good thing to help save energy," Stewart said. "We already have a couple of these in our bathroom."
The men are members of the Central Maine Peak Oil Group, which meets at 10:45 a.m. the first Sunday of every month at the church in Waterville to determine ways to curb energy use in central Maine.
"One of the best ways to save a lot of electricity is to install a compact, fluorescent bulb," Lofving said. "It will save up to $80 of electricity in its lifetime and it only costs about a dollar after rebate. We hope to figure out ways to beat this energy crisis. Working together, we can."
Basford said he and the others in the group recognized the pending decline in oil production more than a year ago and said "it is right on schedule.
"We started a year and half ago when the state announced incentives for the innovative photo-voltaic solar panels," Basford said. At that time, he said the cost for the panels for a home in Waterville was estimated at $20,000. The light bulbs are far better bargain, he said.
"You save 100 times the electricity for each $1 invested," Basford said. Each bulb provides 10,000 hours, he said. Typically, it will last five to seven years.
The energy efficient bulb is only one of many ways to save money, but it opens people's minds to the possibilities, the trio said.
People can insulate homes and water tanks, install energy-efficient windows, fix water drips and leaks, buy energy-saving cars, turn the heat down, and before they know it, their costs will go down -- and so does the drain on the country's energy reserves.
Berger said Smart Cars are scheduled to be unveiled in February, get 60 miles to a gallon of fuel and cost between $12,000 and $13,000. And LED Christmas lights, he said, use one-tenth the energy that regular bulbs do and cost about $8 a string.
"And Santa can still find your house," Lofving joked.
Berger said he has a large house near a lake that he super insulated and now it costs him only $250 a year to heat the entire home.
Lofving said he, too, made energy changes, saving energy costs of about $2,500 a year.
"Now we can still go to a movie or eat out once in a while," Lofving said. "It allows us to live in the lifestyle we have become accustomed to. You can live a decent life with a lot less energy --now is the time.
Darla L. Pickett -- 474-9534, Ext. 341
dpickett@centralmaine.com
Reader comments
Sort by: Oldest first | Newest First
The Central Maine Peak Oil group is trying to get awareness of the energy crisis in this area, so that people are more prepared. Thanks for your interest. Please come to our next meeting, on the 6th of January at the UU Church in Waterville. Upstairs in the Meditation room. Google peak oil, see what comes up. report abuse
You've not disputed a SINGLE word I wrote (or copied and pasted). Not one.
I trust the EPA's statements on the hazards of mercury exposure more than some anonymous radical wingnut on this blog who won't cite governmental studies or facts, and instead offers a factless personal distribe.
That is not rational discussion, nor science. That is merely the raving of a true "believer." You overzealous believers that are hostile to science and the EPA are no different than any other radical fundamentalists. You're dangerous.
You radicals that cannot, or are unwilling to, engage in rational discussion, are actually HURTING the cause, not helping it -- just like Al Gore and his exaggerations, $10,000/month power bill, and globe trotting private jets.
China puts a new coal fired power plant online EVERY WEEK. A few CFL bulbs in your house won't do *squat*, globally.
What do you think the environmental impact of 100 million+ CFL bulbs containing mercury, leaching into the groundwater, will be in 10 or 20 years? Nothing? Get real!
As I said before, I will compare my carbon footprint to yours any time. I'd be willing to bet I'm more of an 'environmentalist' than you are, despite your irrational, anti-science, anti-EPA, true-believer rhetoric.report abuse
If you had your own original thoughts then you wouldn't have to plagiarize. I have to concur that you may not have the ability to make ordinary decisions. Another nice example of what not to be.report abuse
Show all 14 comments
You must be a registered user of MaineToday.com to post a comment. Register or log in.