Patrick Woodcock observes training and discusses heat pump technology with students and staff
Bangor, ME – July 29, 2013 — The Director of the Governor’s Energy Office of Maine, Patrick Woodcock, visited Northeast Technical Institute recently to observe firsthand the great strides being taken in advancing Maine’s heat pump initiative.
Mr. Woodcock discussed how education in energy efficient fields is vitally important to the state’s economic development and toured NTI’s facilities. He even took the time to meet and interact with the students and NTI HVAC/R instructor Joe Mishou. Woodcock and Mishou also discussed in detail the benefits of NTI’s HVAC/R program and its inclusion of propane and natural gas certifications.
In a recent Bangor Daily News DN article “Should Maine be in the Natural Gas Business,” Matthew stone reports:
“In 2012, natural gas accounted for 52 percent of electricity generated in New England, up from 15 percent in 2000, according to ISO New England. During the same period, oil dropped to 1 percent from 22 percent, and coal dropped to 3 percent from 18 percent.”
Heat pumps and natural gas are an important part of Maine’s heating conservation and revenue. Instructor Joe Mishou explains that heat pumps “use no hydrocarbon gasses, making the unit efficient and environmentally friendly”.
Bangor Hydro has donated three heap pump units to NTI over the past six months. The training that NTI offers and collaborating with Bangor Hydro, Central Maine Power, Maine Alternative Engery LLC and Fujitsu are all a part of the large scale hydro power of running heat pumps throughout Maine to save three hundred million dollars in oil use each year. Everyone on campus was pleased to hear the announcement that Bangor Hydro is planning to continue the heat pump rebate program and that additional electrical suppliers are planning on offering rebate programs of their own.
Mr. Woodcock commented, “What is really impressive about NTI is that they are training the workforce to meet the challenges that Maine is facing today. We have heard from companies up and down the state that are looking for well-trained students who can go right into the workforce. I saw it firsthand today, we are training the workforce to meet Maine’s energy challenges right here in Bangor, Maine at Northeast Technical Institute.”
Northeast Technical Institute, with campuses in Scarborough and Bangor, is a nationally accredited school and offers Federal Financial Aid for those who qualify. With its short-term, hands-on approach to training, NTI graduates are job-ready, may earn national certification and are prepared to meet the industry’s overwhelming needs and demands for qualified professionals. The school offers in-demand training for a range of medical programs, including Medical Assistant, Medical Lab Assistant, Medical Coding and Billing, Phlebotomy, Information Technology (PC Repair, Network Administration), HVAC/R and CDL Truck Driving. Classes start each week or month for most programs.
