To: Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Technology
From: Matt Cannon, Sierra Club Maine
Date: 2/2/23
Re: Testimony in Support of LD 122: An Act to Authorize the Efficiency Maine Trust to Establish a Program to Support the Uptake of Medium-duty and Heavy-duty Zero-emission Vehicles by Maine Businesses and to Establish a Medium-duty and Heavy-duty Zero-emission Vehicle-to-grid Pilot Project
Senate Lawrence, Representative Zeigler, and members of the EUT Committee, I am testifying on behalf of Sierra Club Maine, representing over 22,000 supporters and members statewide. Founded in 1892, Sierra Club is one of our nation’s oldest and largest environmental organizations. We work diligently to amplify the power of our 3.8 million members nation-wide as we work towards combating climate change and promoting a just and sustainable economy. To that end, we urge you to support the programs laid out in LD 122 as they will facilitate more greenhouse gas reductions from our largest emitting source: the transportation sector. And, the program is expected to subsidize the cost of these vehicles, mostly through current federal funding mechanisms. A win-win!
We agree the state should fully utilize federal dollars to support establishing a program to acquire medium and heavy-duty vehicles for businesses as well as public institutions. We hope this program grows significantly, as Maine should be supporting the transition to electric and other low or no emissions vehicles for all.
Additionally, a pilot project for a vehicle to grid program is another step in the right direction toward our clean energy goals. Electric school buses and freight trucks hold tremendous battery storage when not in use, and scholarly evidence suggests integrating battery resources into the grid is a successful tool for leveling the grid and maintaining efficiency.
We look forward to seeing more specific language to see how these programs might support Maine Won’t Wait, be funded, and impact all Mainers, but we support the concept of LD 122. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Matt Cannon
Sierra Club Maine