Maine

Some Maine businesses are starting down a path to 100% renewable power

Published

3 years ago

May 20, 2022

Some Maine businesses are starting down a path to 100% renewable power

Joe Walsh, proprietor of Inexperienced Clear Maine, stands in entrance of his Portland workplace on Could 11. Behind Walsh is a Toyota Prius hybrid the corporate at the moment makes use of. Photo voltaic panels are on the roof of the constructing. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Employees Photographer

Joe Walsh stepped onto the pathway six years in the past when he purchased a 4,800-square-foot former radio station on the outskirts of Portland to broaden his cleansing service.

Walsh didn’t understand it on the time, however the shock over receiving a $1,200 propane invoice would propel him on a journey towards the formidable objective of phasing out all fossil fuels at his enterprise, Inexperienced Clear Maine.

He isn’t there but. His largest problem now’s transitioning his fleet of twenty-two automobiles to electrical autos.

Photo voltaic panels on the roof at Inexperienced Clear Maine in Portland on Could 11. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Employees Photographer

“I’ve carried out virtually all the things on the constructing that’s cost-effective,” Walsh mentioned just lately, standing in his car parking zone subsequent to a Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid, sunshine glinting off the photo voltaic panels on his constructing’s roof. “It’s going to take me some time to show over all my autos.”

Walsh’s vitality expedition has made him a mannequin for a brand new statewide enterprise mission known as On the Pathway to 100% Clear Power. A bunch of 20 firms from Biddeford to Brooklin kicked off the hassle this month. The nonprofit mission is supported by company sponsors and includes a web site designed to assist companies discover the instruments and companions to develop a particular plan to start out on a 100% renewable-energy pathway.

“A part of the worth of this mission is making a plan to get to that objective,” mentioned David Swardlick, a Portland entrepreneur who’s selling the initiative. “It’s the distinction between having an curiosity in lowering fossil fuels and making a dedication to get to 100% renewables.”

The notion of working a enterprise on 100% renewable vitality received a high-profile increase final month when Hannaford Supermarkets introduced plans to shoot for that concentrate on in 2024. Hannaford is a regional chain and certainly one of Maine’s largest employers. It has the technical assets and capital that many smaller enterprises lack.

However in 2022, it’s turning into more and more attainable for almost any retail or small industrial enterprise to start out making a clean-energy transition, mentioned Michael Stoddard, government director of Effectivity Maine. LED lightbulbs and warmth pumps for warming and cooling house and for heating water are broadly accessible. Photo voltaic-electric farms are popping up throughout, and automakers are transitioning to electrical autos.

“It’s unimaginable that we’ve arrived at a spot the place you are able to do this now,” Stoddard mentioned. “Even 10 years in the past, folks have been skeptical while you talked about 100% clear vitality. However should you’re not in manufacturing, you are able to do all of it with electrical home equipment and gear. Then the one query is, ‘The place are you getting your electrical energy from?’ ”

A high-efficiency warmth pump at Inexperienced Clear Maine in Portland. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Employees Photographer

Effectivity Maine this month launched a free on-line session service for companies. They will join a digital chat with an knowledgeable who will assess their wants and information them earlier than they begin an vitality mission.

Taken collectively, these developments are coming at a important time.

Power costs are at excessive highs and are anticipated to remain elevated for the foreseeable future, so firms are contemplating long-term investments to make use of much less petroleum and electrical energy. State insurance policies are encouraging a shift to an eventual electrification of the financial system, fueled largely by photo voltaic, wind and storage.

They complement Maine’s local weather motion targets of chopping greenhouse gasoline emissions by 45 p.c in 2030 and turning into carbon-neutral by 2045. Getting extra Maine companies on the clean-energy pathway may assist obtain these bigger ambitions.

GOING ALL-IN ON CLEAN ENERGY

The concepts for the pathway mission sprang from discussions Swardlick had final yr with Fred Horch, co-founder of Spark Utilized Effectivity, a South Portland vitality companies contractor. Horch noticed that lots of his shoppers wished to economize and have been centered on a particular space of their enterprise, however hadn’t thought of a holistic objective of weaning themselves off fossil fuels.

Swardlick has years of background in strategic advertising and marketing, so he developed a public marketing campaign and message for the hassle.

Horch is properly versed in sustainability points and vitality effectivity. He developed on-line instruments and software program, together with a calculator for companies to benchmark their carbon emissions.

Horch is also placing collectively do-it-yourself guidebooks for small enterprise homeowners, industrial property landlords and eating places. The small enterprise model is already on-line.

Joe Walsh, proprietor of Inexperienced Clear Maine, factors out the insulation in his Portland workplace in Could. Walsh’s enterprise is aiming for 100% renewable energy. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Employees Photographer

Swardlick and Horch have been capable of line up like-minded monetary sponsors. They embrace retailer Lamey Wellehan Footwear, which lower its carbon emissions by 50 p.c in 2020 and is striving to do extra.

One other participant is Geiger, the promotional merchandise distributor, which renovated its Lewiston headquarters in 2019 to strict inexperienced constructing requirements and has a photo voltaic array that provides 100% of its internet electrical energy. Androscoggin Financial institution, which final yr turned Maine’s first Licensed B Company financial institution and is planning to get all its electrical energy from renewable sources, is also on board.

These firms and the opposite pathway pioneers have signed a dedication letter pledging to work towards zero fossil gasoline emissions. They get an emblem they’ll submit at their companies, a manner of publicly speaking their intentions. Swardlick hopes the visibility will encourage Mainers to patronize member firms.

“We hope the branding and dedication will probably be significant for the businesses and their prospects,” he mentioned.

EFFICIENCY IS THE TOP PRIORITY

The renewable vitality label may assist reinforce the branding at Inexperienced Clear Maine, a rising, non-toxic cleansing service in Higher Portland. However for Walsh – and for any enterprise – step one on the pathway is to scale back total vitality use via effectivity. With the assistance of an vitality companies marketing consultant, Walsh found many alternatives within the drafty outdated radio station.

Amongst his first actions was to modify out wasteful lights for LEDs. With rebates from Effectivity Maine, Walsh was capable of retrofit all the constructing for round $600, an funding that paid for itself in months.

A cleansing service does quite a lot of laundry, eight to fifteen masses a day of garments and different objects. Walsh identified an 80-gallon heat-pump water heater in a closet that changed a standard electrical unit. It’s upstairs from a financial institution of high-efficiency, front-loading washers and dryers.

“That made a direct distinction on our electrical invoice,” Walsh mentioned.

Joe Walsh, proprietor of Inexperienced Clear Maine exterior his Portland workplace, the place LED lights, insulation, warmth pumps and photo voltaic panels have him on the pathway to phasing out fossil fuels at his enterprise. Transportation, the lacking piece within the transition, would require switching to all electrical autos. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Employees Photographer

Fourteen ducts blow heat or cool air into places of work from air-source warmth pumps mounted outside. They changed the outdated propane boiler, at a fraction of the working value.

Scrambling into the attic, Walsh confirmed the place dense-packed cellulose insulation was blown into the rafter bays. Cracks have been sealed with spray foam. There was nearly no insulation within the constructing when he purchased it. And other than decrease payments, the work has had a dramatic influence on consolation. The primary winter Walsh moved in, the workers wore sweaters and jackets inside.

Photo voltaic panels on the roof provide roughly 60 p.c of the constructing’s electrical energy consumption. The remaining is offset by subscribing to an offsite photo voltaic farm.

Environment friendly water heaters at Inexperienced Clear Maine in Portland. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Employees Photographer

The lacking piece now’s transportation.

The cleansing crews drive as much as 80 miles a day in fuel-efficient fashions, such because the Nissan Versa and hybrid Prius. However switching to electrical autos is hard.

First, international provide chain kinks have all however dried up availability this yr. Second, lots of Walsh’s cleaners take their autos dwelling at evening and reside in residences with no exterior charging shops. An interim step may be transferring to an all-hybrid fleet, Walsh mentioned, if he may discover sufficient used fashions on the market. It’s a course of that might take years.

“Switching to all hybrids would double my effectivity,” he mentioned. “That’s a giant achieve.”

Walsh’s expertise means that even devoted enterprise homeowners will want perseverance to method the 100% objective. The pathway mission anticipates that. However it’s asking for accountability, to keep away from the looks of company greenwashing – that’s, merely presenting an environmentally accountable facade.

To validate that pathway, members are staying the course. Swardlick mentioned firms will probably be requested to replace their plans every year and report their progress, based mostly on their carbon emission calculations. Then they are going to be issued a brand new emblem to show.

The mission deliberately has no goal dates, Swardlick mentioned, due to the understanding that each enterprise will transfer alongside the pathway at a distinct tempo. An organization that makes use of pure gasoline for a producing course of, for example, will face a steeper highway.

“Everybody is aware of that the final 20 or 30 p.c is the toughest to get to,” Swardlick mentioned.

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Maine

An endangered rabbit species is on the rise in parts of Maine

Published

5 minutes ago

January 9, 2025

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An endangered rabbit can be found in seven towns in Maine, two more than just six years ago, and the number of colonies has more than doubled to 46 known sites in that time, according to the state’s small mammal biologist.

The native New England cottontail rabbit, which is on the Endangered Species list, is found in southern Maine, but its non-native invasive species cousin the Eastern cottontail is rapidly gaining ground, said Cory Stearns, small mammal biologist.

The two species eat similar foods, the main difference being where they live. Easterns will live closer to people under decks or porches or other human structures and are less timid about open space. That allows them to proliferate in areas where the native species won’t because they prefer to hide in bushes and thickets.

The concern is that the Easterns will dominate, making it harder for the New Englands to rebound, Stearns said. Because of that and the state’s ongoing research and monitoring program, biologists are asking Maine residents to report any sightings of the two species of rabbits.

It’s difficult to tell them apart, but often the Eastern cottontail will have a white spot on its forehead. It also has bigger eyes that give them more side vision, he said.

It’s much easier to tell them apart from snowshoe hares in the winter. Snowshoes turn white, allowing them to hide in plain sight on the snow, while rabbits are brown year-round, Stearns said.

The New England cottontail saw its highest numbers in the 1960s when there were a lot of abandoned farms that provided thickets for hiding places. As the forest grew up and matured around those areas, the bushes and hidey-holes disappeared.

It now can be found in Cape Elizabeth, York, Wells, Scarborough, Kittery, Eliot and Kennebunk.

The low point was in 2018, when there were only 21 sites populated by the New England rabbits. The Easterns were first spotted in Maine in 2017 in Portland, Old Orchard Beach, the Berwicks and Wells.

The scientists collect rabbit feces, called pellets, for genetic testing to determine which species is inhabiting a space. They also can figure out how many individuals are in a colony.

If you want to help out by reporting a rabbit sighting, fill in this form on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website.

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Maine

Maine lawmakers return to Augusta as session begins

Published

8 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Press Room

Maine lawmakers return to Augusta as session begins

AUGUSTA — The 132nd Legislature gathered at the State House Wednesday to open a new session and begin the long process of formally referring new bills to standing committees for hearings and work sessions.

Lawmakers are expected to meet in their respective chambers only one day a week through February, as work slowly ramps up on reviewing hundreds — if not thousands — of bills submitted by lawmakers. Most of the work in the coming weeks will happen during more frequent meetings of the individual committees.

The session is scheduled to end June 18.

The top issue facing lawmakers is state spending.

On Tuesday, the governor’s budget office warned legislative leaders and members of the Legislature’s budget-writing committee about a $118 million shortfall in MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program, in the current budget, plus a projected deficit in the next two-year budget of $450 million.

The state’s current two-year budget is $10.5 billion, but existing spending commitments already approved by lawmakers would push that spending level to $11.67 billion if they are fully funded, according to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services.

Gov. Janet Mills is expected to present her budget in the coming days. She has said she plans to protect certain investments, including continuing to provide 55% of public education funding, free community college, MaineCare expansion and 5% revenue sharing with municipalities.

Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, speaks during first day of the 2025 legislative session on Wednesday. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

In addition to reviewing and amending the budget, lawmakers will take up a slate of new legislation. The deadline submit bills is Friday. During the previous Legislature, lawmakers submitted nearly 2,300 bills.

Democrats remain in control of state government. In addition to the governorship, Democrats retained majorities in the House and Senate, albeit by smaller margins. Democrats have had a trifecta since 2019.

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Maine

Balancing threats with public access, Maine Capitol Police beef up security • Maine Morning Star

Published

16 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Press Room

Balancing threats with public access, Maine Capitol Police beef up security • Maine Morning Star

Over the past two years, members of the Maine Capitol Police have visited state capitols across the country, learning how various law enforcement agencies are handling the increase in security issues.

These include bomb threats, hoaxes, and suspicious powder on mail — all of which happened in Maine just last year — in addition to armed protests seen in places like Michigan in recent years.

Threats of violence have been made against Maine’s political leaders at all levels. Last March, there were emailed threats made against two state lawmakers who co-sponsored a controversial bill about reproductive health services and gender-affirming treatments. And on Thanksgiving, U.S. Rep. Jared Golden was reported to have bomb threats sent to his home in Lewiston.

Though these politically-charged security risks are widespread, states may take their own approach to keeping their facilities safe. Maine Capitol Police Chief Matt Clancy said agencies throughout the country are working on developing best practices, but he’s focused on adopting policies and procedures that he feels are best for Maine.

Some state capitols Clancy visited felt a little too “tight,” white others didn’t even screen visitors upon entry, as is done in Augusta.

“Here we’re trying to build a balance of providing the type of security that we feel makes the facilities here very accessible and inviting without being overbearing,” Clancy said.

Maine State House evacuated after hoax bomb threats against legislators, Democratic Party

As a result of this work, Clancy said there will be some new security measures in place for the 132nd Maine Legislature. The session is starting to ramp up, with legislators sworn in, committee orientation meetings on the calendar for this week and cloture, the deadline for bills to be submitted, set for Friday.

While many of the enhanced security measures are “unseen,” as Clancy described them, there will be some noticeable changes, especially for people who frequent the State House.

One such change is the new Capitol Police K9. Visitors will see Ted — a nod to Red Sox legend Ted Williams, which was changed from Jeter to keep peace with New England sports fans — regularly patrolling the State House, but he will also be called in to assist with bomb threats.

Hoax bomb threats have been particularly problematic in recent years. Last year, there were several threats, including one the first day of the session that forced lawmakers and visitors to evacuate.

Though he couldn’t speak to the procedural details of responding to such threats, Clancy said his team’s goal is to thoroughly vet them while letting the Legislature get back to its business quickly — or in some cases, without any disruptions. Having a K9 will help improve that response, he said.

The other more noticeable changes will be in the Burton Cross Building, which sits next to the State House and connects through a tunnel. The building houses many of the legislative committee rooms in addition to agencies, such as the Maine Secretary of State’s Division of Elections.

Last session, Capitol Police started staffing the Cross Building with security personnel. This year, there will be even more of a presence, Clancy said.

Additionally, in the coming months, construction will begin on a new security screening area in the Cross Building, similar to what people have to go through to enter the State House. Clancy said they are currently accepting bids for the $7 million project and he expects it will take about 18 months to complete.

Though Clancy said there is pressure in being responsible for the safety and security of facilities, lawmakers, and visitors, “you also have to understand that it’s the people’s house.”

“This is their house, they can come in and do their thing, be heard,” he said.

Striking that balance, he said, will take regular evaluation of how new and old procedures are working in today’s political climate. One way the Capitol Police hope to stay vigilant without being overbearing is through its new security operations center located at its satellite station on the East Campus, which is situated across the Kennebec River.

Clancy said his team decided to create that space after visiting other complexes across the country. The operations center has three workstations and a camera wall, allowing officers to remotely keep tabs on spaces in the State House and communicate concerns with those on the ground.

Since the political world exists outside of the walls of the State House, Capitol Police are also monitoring chatter online — like they did with the threats made against lawmakers last year that was said to be related to a social media post.

Vetting online discourse and threats requires the same nuance as protecting the physical security of the building, he said, balancing First Amendment rights and being prudent about the information that’s out there. The chief said it’s the cases where there were warning signs ahead of a bad scenario that keep him up at night.

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