Date last updated: 9/24/2009 7:06:07 PM
STONINGTON (NEWS CENTER) -- Owners of commercial boats are getting help replacing their inefficient engines. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is using $1.2 million in federal stimulus money to repower commercial boats. More than forty commercial boats across the state will get new, cleaner engines thanks to the program. It pays half the cost of buying and installing the new engines, which are seventy percent cleaner than the old ones. Lobsterman Jason Witham says his new engine will also save him about 20 gallons of fuel a day. "With the price of lobsters being down and the fuel and everything, it's a way for me to be able to get a newer engine that will last me a lot longer and be able to get my bottom line up," Witham told NEWS CENTER. There are thirty lobster boats getting new engines, as well as a schooner, three ferries, and four fishing boats. The DEP plans to apply for more money to continue the program for another year. NEWS CENTER
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