Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

March 4

Efficiency Maine Trust hires executive director

The Associated Press

HALLOWELL  — A Portland attorney and longtime advocate for energy efficiency has been named the head of a Maine organization that promotes the efficient use of energy and helps residents and businesses reduce energy costs.

Michael Stoddard becomes executive director of Efficiency Maine Trust on March 22.

The trust was created last year by a law that consolidated the state's many energy-related programs under one roof. The trust administers funds to provide incentives for energy efficiency measures, as well as alternative energy technologies such as solar water heaters.

Stoddard comes to Efficiency Maine from the Maine-based group Environment Northeast, a nonprofit advocacy and research group that specializes in energy and climate change policies.