York Goes Green

The York Energy Efficiency Committee is again offering rain barrels for sale at a real savings. This year’s price is $75 for interested area residents — a 40% discount from the usual retail price $125. This great price is available because we order in quantity from SkyJuice New England and have a central pick-up point. It’s an opportunity to protect the environment and to support a local York business. Rain barrels save water, helping to decrease storm water runoff and to recharge our groundwater. And your garden will thrive!

Rain barrels collect rainwater from your roof either where it streams off your roof or from your downspout. ¼ inch of rain on a 1,000 square foot roof will fill two 60-gallon rain barrels! Connect a drip irrigation, soaker or garden hose or water with a watering can. Your garden and house plants will love this naturally soft water. Think of the savings: less summer usage of town water and conservation of your well water.

You become part of the local watershed by releasing rainwater from the rain barrels into your gardens to slowly soak into the soil. This decreases storm water runoff and helps recharge our local groundwater. March has been an unkind reminder of what storm water runoff can do to our wonderful community. Be part of the solution!

The York Energy and Efficiency Committee will be holding the second annual York Energy, Climate and Sustainability Fair on May 1st at the York Middle School. The Committee will organize a bulk delivery to be made that day – 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the school. For more information on the Fair visit http://yorkgoesgreen.org/york-energy-and-climate-day/. Last year’s fair was a wonderful event and we expect this year to be bigger and better! Mark it down on your calendar and tell everyone you know!

Dorothy Healy is the coordinator of the sale for the York Energy Efficiency Committee. Email Dorothy.healy@gmail.com for more information or use the attached 2010-Rain-Barrel-Order-Form (PDF).

Next steps: Order your rain barrel(s), pick up on May 1st and enjoy the Fair to learn more about what you can do to meet the challenges facing us in energy conservation and climate change.

What better way to spend a Saturday morning in the spring? Buy a rain barrel, learn more about water harvesting and drip irrigation for your gardens. Be part of the solution!

April 1st, 2010 by wayne | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

For the past 4 years, Heather Henriksen has participated in an annual not-for-profit Earth Day event selling home compost bins. This year she has teamed up with Holly Grimes and White Pine Programs. White Pine Programs is a local nonprofit educational organization which provides children with nature-based programs designed to “renew connections to the earth and deepen awareness of place through nature- based learning.” $5.00 from every bin sold will go towards helping a child attend a program who otherwise may not be able.

Please download the order form (PDF), print out a copy, and return as soon as possible to the address listed on the form. The deeply discounted price is $43.50.

Orders will need to be received by April 30th. Don’t delay if you would like one!
Bin pickup date is on May 18 from 2-4:00 p.m. at The Marketplace in Cape Neddick on Route 1.

Join many of us who have learned home composting is easy, fun and rewarding!

April 1st, 2010 by wayne | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (3)

March 27th, 2010 by Eric | Tags: no impact man | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Vinalhaven Island wind turbines

An interesting new technology designed to take advantage of the intermittent nature of renewable energy like wind and solar. From the article at Ecoseed.org:

Six units of Steffes Corporation’s electric thermal storage will go into operation this week on Vinalhaven Island, Maine to test over the coming months what could be the future of renewable energy storage for windy states: distributed energy storage.

The technology will make it possible to utilize generated wind power at night by distributing and storing electricity in the form of stored heat.

Steffes Corporation and its distributor Thermal Energy Storage of Maine L.L.C. have provided the electric thermal storage units for this week’s test of a decades-old electric heating technology married to smart grid technology. The goal is to utilize renewable energy instead of oil for heating. Wind power generated at night is stored as slow-release heat in very dense ceramic bricks, then released on demand to economically heat buildings.

Vinalhaven is one of the Fox Islands off Maine. Last summer, the Fox Islands Electricity Cooperative Inc. voted to build wind turbines for electricity and they now make their own renewable energy from three 1.5 MW wind turbines. However, like 80 percent of Maine, the island’s residents have until now been dependent on oil for home heating.

…The addition of smart grid technology to Steffes’ electric thermal he…ating units makes it possible to store renewable energy in home units that can monitor and regulate and store electricity as heat, and then slowly release that heat as needed over a 24-hour period.

Distributed electricity storage as heat brings a solution to storing and then utilizing cheaper night-time wind power as home heating, and will be good for the island’s residents individually, saving them money on home heating, while also regulating wind on the grid.

It is also much better economically for the islanders because, as members of the Fox Islands Electricity Cooperative, they have been selling their wind energy to the mainland at comparatively low rates.

Read the rest of the in-depth article.

March 19th, 2010 by wayne | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (3)

The town Energy Steering Committee (a separate group from the York Energy Efficiency Committee) completed its analysis of 36 municipal facilities and presented the selectmen on March 8 with a prioritized list of the most energy-intensive buildings. The next step is to hire a firm to conduct in-depth audits in order to prioritize building improvements. From the May 10, 2010 York Weekly story:

Selectmen on Monday night gave the York Energy Efficiency Steering Committee the go-ahead to pursue requests for qualifications in an effort to find a company to conduct an energy audit of the top 15 carbon-offending town buildings. The goal is an eventual overhaul of all those buildings cited.

Town Hall tops the list of buildings that contribute the most carbon dioxide per square foot, according to an analysis conducted by the committee. It is followed by the police station and York Senior Center, which are located in the same building on Main Street. Next are the school district’s administrative office on Route 1 and the York Village Fire Station on York Street.

Voters approved $100,000 in May for energy upgrades.

The committee has also received $10,000 in planning money, called a template grant from the state, said Committee Chairman Jeff Beaudoin.

The committee analyzed 36 buildings. The list reflects the most inefficient buildings as well as the largest contributors to CO2 emissions.

“The biggest carbon contributors were whittled down to 15,” said Beaudoin, “and ranked by square footage and most carbon outputters.”

. . . Chairman Mike Estes recommended the committee start posting requests for qualifications and return to the board with a list of companies from which to solicit proposals for the job of an energy audit.

Read the rest of the article, York to pursue study of CO2-offending buildings.

March 12th, 2010 by wayne | Tags: news, Steering Committee, York Weekly | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Greetings Everyone!!

“You don’t know what you’ve got, until it’s gone”

That phrase sure was on a lot of people’s minds last week during the power-outage. It definitely highlights how much we rely on energy – even when we are not thinking about it. I sure hope everyone’s power has now been restored.

In terms of business, sorry for the late reminder notice – but our next meeting will be tomorrow night at 7pm at the York Library.

On the agenda:

1. What is a watt? A kilowatt? Paul Kittel will give a brief presentation he’s developed that helps clarify commonly misused terms in discussion about Energy.

2. Continue planning for the York Energy, Climate and Sustainability Fair scheduled for May 1st from 9-2pm.

3. Planning and promotion for the showing of “No Impact Man” on Friday, April 23rd at 7pm.

4. Do you know an organization or an individual who might like to sponsor the York Energy and Climate fair? We are trying to raise a total of $2,000 to cover marketing/promotion and reusable grocery bags as give-aways. If you know of someone who might be interested, please let me know.

Also: We are looking for volunteers to help us with the set-up, staffing and breakdown of the fair. Debbie Archambault (debbie@travelexpertsofyork.com) has offered to coordinate the volunteers. Please let her know if/when you are available to help. We are planning on a bigger turnout this year, so we’ll need as many volunteers as we can muster.

That’s all for now – hope all is well!

Eric

Eric Hopkins
Chairman
York Energy Efficiency Committee
eric@yorkgoesgreen.org

March 8th, 2010 by Eric | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (2)

There are many ways to be green (or if you prefer, environmentally conscious). Andrew Hayford, a York High School sophomore, is one of 10 students nationally to receive a $1000 Planet Connect grant from the National Environmental Education Foundation for his proposed project to reduce beach pollution in southern Maine.

From the March 3, 2010 Portland Press Herald:

Hayford’s plan details his commitment to collect trash along Maine’s beaches and record those findings to benefit beach pollution research for marine science groups. His campaign also is designed to engage community members of all ages and affiliations in helping to eradicate the state’s ocean pollution.

…For phase one of the project, dubbed “Clean Beaches, Clean Ocean,” Hayford will compile a list of pollution-prevention tips that he intends to distribute to local businesses who pledge to get the word out to their customers, who are likely to frequent southern Maine beaches. He also hopes to speak with York elementary school officials to propose a project asking grade school students to submit ocean-themed art work contest to be considered for an anti-litter advertising campaign. The winning submission will be transformed into a “Blue Ocean Friendly” decal to be displayed at participating businesses that pledge to join the litter-prevention campaign.

…Andrew is even more eager to educate others about the harmful effects of litter. The garbage is not just on the beach. It’s in the water.
“I’m really hoping to get the message across to people of all ages that our beaches need to be taken better care of,” said Andrew.

“Whatever kinds of trash you can think of, we find on the beach – from cigarette butts to tampon applicators, tires and lobster traps. It’s important for people to remember that these waters are essential for marine life and human life.”

Read more about the grant and the Hayford family’s other environmental contributions.

Kudos to Andrew for his commitment to making our beaches cleaner and congratulations on the grant award.

March 4th, 2010 by wayne | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Deborah Mcdermott writes in the York Weekly about a federal grant awarded to a consortium of six towns, including York. The grant will benefit both individuals and businesses.

Homeowners and small business owners in southern York County will soon be able to apply for a low-interest loan to make their buildings more energy efficient, thanks to the success of local residents who have secured a $500,000 federal stimulus grant.

The Seacoast Energy Initiative learned Friday, Feb. 12 the Maine Public Utilities Commission selected its proposal to receive the federal funds. The PUC is the state agency administering the grants.

The SEI towns that are included in the proposal are Kittery, Eliot, York, South Berwick, Ogunquit and North Berwick. The SEI members comprise each town’s energy committees.

It is anticipated that, if there are no glitches, the first loans will be approved in six months.

The program establishes a revolving loan fund of $410,000. Any homeowner or small-business person can qualify for the loans, regardless of income. This is important for the southern York County area, where most people make too much money to qualify for low-income programs.

The loans will be for no more than $10,000, at an interest rate of 3 percent.

Building improvements expected to be covered by the loan include weatherization work and upgrades to all electrical, air and fuel systems.

The loans will be administered by the Biddeford Saco Area Economic Development Corporation, a nonprofit agency with experience running revolving loan funds.

Read the rest of the article.

February 22nd, 2010 by wayne | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (2)

Solar panels and wind turbines are enticing, but energy experts insist that homeowners should first start with the most efficient and lower cost improvements.

This energy pyramid targets specific areas you can tackle based on cost and complexity, helping you prioritize. It identifies precise actions, areas of the home, and appliances to target and classifies them into 10 categories, with the easiest and least expensive on the bottom of the pyramid. Start at the bottom and work your way up the pyramid, as time and finances allow.

The utility company Minnesota Power developed The Pyramid of CONSERVATION—residential version to help its electric customers conserve energy. If you go to the site and click on a topic in the pyramid, you can find more information to help you save energy and money.

February 17th, 2010 by wayne | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Senator Bowman has been a champion for Property Assessed Clean Energy Bonds – or PACE – which is a revolutionary way of financing home-energy projects though the use of property taxes.   There has been some push-back from the financial industry – but the objections may not insurmountable.  A measure in Maine is currently being debated in the State House on LD 1717.

Today, the Portland Press Herald ran a story on LD1717

By ETHAN WILENSKY-LANFORD, Kennebec Journal February 15, 2010

A diverse group of interests is gathering in Augusta to shape new legislation on energy efficiency that aims to land perhaps $75 million in federal stimulus money for the state.

The bill, L.D. 1717, would allow towns and cities to lend money to homeowners for energy conservation projects through the Efficiency Maine Trust. It is sponsored by Rep. Patsy Crockett, D-Augusta.

These loans, however, would be attached to properties, not individual lenders, and would be repaid through property taxes.

This lending mechanism was designed to allow homeowners to extend their payments enough to see immediate net savings through decreased energy costs, according to Bob Howe, a lawyer representing the Maine Association of Building Efficiency Professionals.

If a property is sold before the loan is repaid, the remainder would be transferred with the property to the next owner to continue repaying.

This proposal has run into problems with the banking, credit union and real estate industries, however, according to lawmakers and advocates.

A national model for lending mechanisms of this sort – called “property assessed clean energy,” or PACE – usually calls for property liens created by efficiency loans to take precedence over other liens, such as mortgages.

Chris Pinkham, president of the Maine Association of Community Banking, said that provision could create problems in the secondary mortgage market, which allows banks to bundle and sell mortgages to investors.

“We think the concept is great,” he said. “At the same time, we absolutely have to make sure that our normal outlets for the sale of mortgages are not hesitant about accepting these changes.”

Last summer, Pinkham said, he received a letter from the Federal Housing Finance Authority, which regulates main players in the secondary mortgage market Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, warning of “superior liens” such as those proposed by L.D. 1717.

The FHFA suggested these loans might increase indebtedness and foreclosures and decrease values of mortgages in the secondary market.

Sen. Barry Hobbins, D-Saco, co-chairman of the Utilities and Energy Committee, said the financial community brought up good points the committee had not previously considered for this legislation.

“If we did not have all the stakeholders in one room,” he said, “it could have blown up the whole bill.”

A revision has been submitted to give efficiency loans “junior status” against mortgages, which Hobbins expects will satisfy bankers’ concerns. The group of stakeholders is also working on establishing a reserve fund to address defaults on these efficiency loans.

Interested parties will meet again before reporting back to the committee on Thursday.

The bill is being considered as “emergency” because of stimulus funds awarded by the Department of Energy.

February 16th, 2010 by Eric | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Thanks to YEEC member Dorothy Healy for pointing out this free event in Portsmouth:

John Aber and Tom Kelly talk about THE SUSTAINABLE LEARNING COMMUNITY: ONE UNIVERSITY’S JOURNEY TO THE FUTURE
At 7:00 PM on Wednesday February 17, 2010 at the River Run Bookstore on Congress Street, downtown Portsmouth.

Details about the book:

University communities have the potential to serve as models in the development and application of sustainability principles and practices, not only by what they teach and study, but also by how they operate facilities and engage with off-campus partners. With the oldest endowed campus-wide sustainability program in the country, established in 1997, the University of New Hampshire has become a leader in advancing a campus culture of sustainability. The UNH experience provides a unique window into the development of a new and integrated approach to teaching, learning, research, and operations. It is also a valuable guide for other institutions that aim to enhance the quality of campus life while reducing their environmental footprint. The book’s organization along four functional domains (curriculum, operations, research, and engagement) allows faculty, staff, students, and managers to focus on sections of particular relevance to their university roles. Each chapter develops standards of best practices and presents interesting case studies to humanize the larger effort.

ABOUT THE EDITORS
JOHN ABER is Professor of Environmental Science and former Vice President for Research, University of New Hampshire. TOM KELLY is Chief Sustainability Officer and Director, Office of Sustainability Programs.

See more event details.

February 15th, 2010 by wayne | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment