Maine: John Kerry

AUGUSTA, Maine — Energy-efficiency professionals urged lawmakers on Wednesday to expand weatherization and conservation programs as Maine policymakers explore ways to begin weaning the state off its dependence on foreign oil.

After budget cuts, energy will likely be one of the highest-profile and most complicated issues that the Legislature will deal with this session. Lawmakers have introduced a long list of energy-related bills proposing everything from new taxes on heating oil to tax credits for home energy projects.

The Legislature’s newly formed Energy Future Committee kicked off debate Wednesday by holding a hearing on a broad energy bill by Sen. Joe Perry, D-Bangor.

Perry’s bill, which is still in draft form, would refocus the state-run Efficiency Maine program from electricity efficiency to overall energy conservation and earmark proceeds from a cap-and-trade program on greenhouse gases toward weatherization.

See also: From 04 to 08, 110 towns shift color on Maine map

Of the 91 towns that turned from red to blue this year, Rangley and Kennebunkport saw two of the largest jumps.

State representatives for these areas attribute the change to an influx of out-of-staters.

Rangeley, a small Franklin County town, saw the following changes:

The third day of the Democratic National Convention will be called to order at 5:00 PM EST on Wednesday, with a theme of "Securing America's Future."

The day will begin with the nominating process for President, including nominating speeches for U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), followed by a roll call vote.

The headline speaker will be vice presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.).

Ralph Nader, a hopeful presidential candidate, submitted 5,500 signatures to the Maine Secretary of State’s office today.

This is more than the 4,000 needed.

The Portland Press Herald has details here.