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Bartlett Selected to Attend National Energy Conference

November 1, 2005

State Senator Philip Bartlett (D-Gorham) has been selected to attend the State Legislative Leaders Foundation annual “Leaders Emerging Issues Program” in Santa Barbara, California from November 3 to 6. The focus of this year’s program is energy independence and, particularly, ways to increase energy efficiency and improve the quality of life for all Americans.

Bartlett was chosen to be one of 20 legislative leaders from across the nation to attend this year’s conference at the Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management. “This is a wonderful opportunity to share ideas with policymakers from around the country as we all struggle with rising and unpredictable energy prices,” said Bartlett.

Bartlett is Senate Chair of the Utilities and Energy Committee and is sponsoring legislation to promote energy independence in Maine. “We must find ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce our reliance on foreign oil,” said Bartlett. “The enormous price increases we have seen this year for gasoline, oil and natural gas demonstrate the urgency of finding alternative sources of energy.”

Recognizing the importance of this issue, the Legislative Council authorized Bartlett’s bill to be considered during the upcoming legislative session. Just 174 of the 496 bills submitted by legislators were approved by the Legislative Council at its October 27 meeting.