Nov 15 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Kevin Miller Bangor Daily News, Maine

Maine was recognized Wednesday by a national environmental advocacy group for the state's efforts to promote clean energy and conservation measures.

Maine was one of five states to receive a "silver" ranking in Environment America's report, "America's Clean Energy Stars: State Actions Leading America to a New Energy Future." The report graded states on policies to increase renewable energy, save energy and require cleaner and more efficient cars.

The four other states were Massachusetts, Vermont, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, seven states -- California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington -- received gold stars from Environment America for adopting strong policies in at least four areas related to energy.

Nine states, including New Hampshire, were named "rising stars" by the group, which used the report to call on Congress to pass a stringent energy bill to encourage conservation and renewable energy.

"It shows that Maine's state leaders have started the effort, ... but there are definitely areas where Maine can do better," said Piper Crowell, field associate for Environment Maine. Crowell said Maine could improve by enacting stronger energy standards for appliances and energy conservation codes for buildings.

Crowell was joined Wednesday in Augusta by Gov. John Baldacci and legislative leaders during a ceremony to present the silver star award. Baldacci cited Maine's policies of purchasing 100 percent of state government's electricity from renewable sources and participation in a multistate compact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as proof of the state's commitment to energy issues.

But Democrat Baldacci joined Environment America as well as Maine's two Republican senators, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, in calling for strong national policies on energy.

"For too long, we've been without a national energy strategy, and we are paying the price when we fill our gas tanks or pay our home heating oil bills," Baldacci said in a statement. "With the price of gas likely to continue to increase and people worried about staying warm this winter, we can't be satisfied with inaction in Washington."