SOUTH PARIS, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) toured precision manufacturer Maine Machine Products Company in South Paris where he surveyed newly-completed energy efficiency upgrades that are expected to save the company approximately $100,000 per year. In remarks delivered at the event, Senator King emphasized how energy conservation projects, like that at Maine Machine, can help Maine businesses reduce energy consumption, protect the environment, and save money in the process.

“Energy bills in Maine are too high and it hurts families whose budgets are stretched and it hurts businesses that can’t grow or create jobs as a result. The single best way to reduce those bills is to reduce consumption because the cheapest kilowatt hour is the one never used,” Senator King said. “And that’s exactly what Maine Machine has done through its energy conservation project. As a result of the innovative partnership with Efficiency Maine and Thayer Corp., Maine Machine will save energy, which helps the environment, and save money, which helps its bottom line – a true win-win for everyone. Projects like these are important because it highlights the importance of energy efficiency, illustrates what can be done throughout Maine, and demonstrates how we can make our manufacturing sector more competitive, all of which are reasons why the federal government must continue to encourage these efforts.”

The recently completed energy efficiency project at Maine Machine Products, which was completed with the help of Thayer Corporation of Auburn and Efficiency Maine, is expected to save the plant over $100,000 per year in electricity expenses, improve temperature control, reduce maintenance and repair expenses, extend the life of their HVAC equipment, and better illuminate work spaces in all areas of the building. Changes at the plant include LED light technology and a new, more efficient HVAC system. These developments reflect a broader trend in which businesses and homeowners are evaluating how they can make long-term investments in technology to reduce energy costs.

As a member of both the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Climate Action Task Force, Senator King has advocated for policies that empower businesses and individuals to improve their energy efficiency and has highlighted how doing so both lowers costs for businesses and curbs the impact on climate change. Earlier this year, Senator King introduced legislation to promote personal energy independence through renewable, energy efficient sources such as solar, and he also supported a broad energy package, which included several efficiency provisions, when it passed out of the Energy Committee in May. Senator King also successfully pushed the Department of Energy to revise the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) guidelines to make it easier for people in Maine to transition to more fuel-efficient heating units.

Founded in 1956, Maine Machine Products has since expanded into a 65,000 square foot facility in South Paris. The precision manufacturing company specializes in making custom components and assemblies for targeted high-tech fields that include the semi-conductor, medical, defense, aerospace, oil, gas, telecom and fiber optics sectors.

Later today, Senator King will also visit and tour Farwell Elementary School in Lewiston following an invitation from Principal Althea Walker to see firsthand the challenges that educators encounter every day and discuss how changes in federal policies can help.

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