Portland, Maine Mayor Ed Suslovic will announce next week the formation of a new City Committee focused on energy and the environment. The councilors serving on the new committee will most likely be Jim Cohen, Dave Marshall and Mayor Suslovic.

The EEC is going to tackle issues like decreasing the City’s energy costs, installing renewable energy in City owned properties, improving air quality in the City, transforming the City vehicle fleet and encouraging City employees to walk and take public transportation – a real lead by example role.

I have high hopes for this committee – there is already public support, a draft sustainability plan and an endless source of models and projects that are economical viable and make good business sense for the City. Portland will take advantage federal and state grants, rebates and loans to retrofit buildings, upgrade systems, and install new renewable energy sources, as well as create new policies and procedure that are aimed at protecting and strengthening the City for generations to come.