Initiatives
Vehicles-
Over the past five years, the State of Maine, through Central Fleet Management, has increased the number of hybrid vehicles from only one hybrid vehicle to over 50.
Buildings-
An Executive Order was signed by the Governor on 9/24/03 regarding the use of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design “LEED” building standards for state buildings. The new academic building at the Governor Baxter School received a LEED Silver designation and was the first state building to be built in accordance with LEED “green” building standards. It is expected to use 30 percent less energy than a more conventional building.
Biodiesel-
The State has led the way in use of biodiesel. During the 2003-2004 winter, “B-20” (a 20% blend of biodiesel with #2 heating oil) was used in five small state buildings in the Augusta area, including the Blaine House, State Planning Office and Bureau of Motor Vehicle Buildings. During the winter of 2004-2005, financial considerations required the utilization of “B-10” simultaneously with expanded usage in the State House, Cross State Office Building, State Museum and a number of other buildings. The State continues to use a bio-diesel blend to heat the capital complex this year. The State has adjusted its blend to “B-5” due to some technical issues regarding fuel quality, delivery and blending that arose during the 2004-05 winter season. The State is committed to continuing and expanding its bio-diesel program with due consideration given to economic and technical factors. Currently the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Office of Energy Independence are working together to clear up a licensing issue that has prevented more biodiesel usage.
Cleaning Chemicals-
An environmental preferable procurement (EPP) policy was developed and an executive order was signed (described in detail below, see attachment 1).
Another aspect of the Clean Government Initiative that is making headway is the EPP group which meets five to six times per year and consists of representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Administrative and Financial Services, Conservation, and Environmental Protection.
Through the EEP group, the State of Maine has established a broad range of product procurement practices oriented toward the preservation of natural resources, the promotion of environmental sustainability and the protection of the health and safety of employees and citizens. As part of the Environmental Preferential Purchasing policy several factors are considered as part of a best value determination when evaluating purchases, including: fuel efficiency, recycled content percentages, materials content, emissions, waste generation, toxicity, and recyclability. Most recently, this group has focused on ensuring that the products used to clean state facilities would strive to adhere to accountable criteria of being “environmentally preferable”. Two options are under consideration to accomplish this, and both are nationally recognized certifications that have their own criteria. One is Green Seal which lists cleaning chemicals and detergents that meet its criteria. The other is the Battelle Process, which details criteria to which a vendor must conform. A recommendation from this EPP group is imminent.
Executive Order Promoting Safer Chemicals in Consumer Products and Services-
With this Executive Order Maine State Government is leading by example and a Task Force appointed by the Governor was established. The Task Force will develop recommendations to further the use and availability of safer chemicals in consumer products and services.
DEP Acting Deputy Commissioner Deb Garrett will be chairing the Task Force with Commissioner Littell also participating.
Commissioner's office staff Ginger Jordan-Hiller will provide ongoing staffing and will call on other DEP staff from time to time. Peter Cooke is actively assisting the State Division of Purchases as they work towards implementation of environmentally preferable purchasing.
DAFS, Bureau of General Services is assisting with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Coordinators from Agriculture and Cooperative Extension. They will develop policies that call for the least toxic method of pest control and the least amount of pesticide use in state owned and managed buildings and their grounds that will allow safe and comfortable occupancy by state employees, visitors and the general public.
The University of Maine System continues to require environmental preferred products through its bid process including the preference for Energy Star rated equipment where available.
Computers and Electronics-
a group similar to the one that’s been meeting on “Green” janitorial products has been working on “Green” PCs and Peripherals. The RFP they’re developing will require meeting the EPEAT Bronze standard at a minimum, with additional consideration given to those meeting the Silver or Gold standard. Naturally, the decision will necessarily include a cost/benefit analysis, but we’re hoping that the competitive process will allow us to secure environmentally friendly AND cost-effective computers.
Lead-
In 2005, The Ecology Center, a Michigan based non-profit organization formally filed a citizens petition under the federal Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) asking EPA to develop rules which would ban the sale of lead wheel weights in the U.S. The petition, which received support from the Governor of Maine, state officials in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and the Steel Manufacturers Association, could lead to the establishment of a national lead wheel weight phase-out timeline and encourages Maine state government to look at what could be done to reduce the use of lead wheel weights.
Lead wheel weights are handled by workers and have special disposal considerations. Lead wheel weights fall off tires and may be one of the sources contributing to lead levels in Maine parking lot runoff data that sometimes exceeds aquatic toxicity levels. Shiny lead wheel weights sitting on the side of the road may be also picked up and handled by young children resulting in lead exposure.
Maine DEP consulted with Minnesota regarding their state fleet’s conversion to wheel weights constructed of materials that are less toxic than lead. DEP provided Maine’s vehicle fleet managers (DOT, Central Fleet Management/CFM, and Public Safety) with information on alternative and less toxic wheel weight materials. DOT volunteered to research and pilot alternatives. CFM and Public Safety fleets agreed to follow DOT's recommendations. After the state fleet has used the alternative wheel weights for a period of time, DEP's Small Business Assistance Program will provide outreach to DOT’s business contacts in the private sector to provide a record of experience. The University system fleet is also in contact with DOT regarding wheel weights.
The State of Maine has a target date of July 2006 after which passenger vehicles and lightweight trucks scheduled for tire replacement will include wheel weights with a less toxic material than lead (heavy duty truck alternatives are expected to take more research). Additionally, CFM will also require that tire replacements that occur at contracted garages that service state vehicles in other areas of the state to use non-lead wheel weights, as available. The DEP is also corresponding with the Department of Education about the possibility of outreach to school transportation directors should alternative wheel weight products become available and practical for the larger tires that are on school buses.
The University of Maine System was notified as a courtesy by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection of the DOT program and shared resources and contact information. The University of Maine is currently converting all replacement wheel weights to lead free weights. University of Southern Maine is still investigating a conversion process and expects one to be implemented by the end of the year.
Electricity-
In the beginning of this initiative an Executive Order established a goal for the state to purchase 40% of power from renewable resources. This goal was achieved until the increase in energy prices. Currently, the State is purchasing 30% renewables through the standard electricity offer and continues to seek ways to increase its renewable power portfolio, within financial resources.
Paper-
In FY 2005, 85% of paper purchased by the State of Maine had at least 30% post consumer content. This far exceeds the statutory requirement that 50% of paper purchased by the State be recycled content paper.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
The University of Maine System established a System-Wide Energy Team in 2004 with its initial charge to reduce costs through energy efficiency and energy purchase strategies. The team has a mixture of facility managers and financial managers representing the seven campuses of UMS. Since that time, the Team has included representatives from Maine Maritime Academy and the Maine Community College System. Both have been active and welcome participants on the UMS team.
The current mission of the Energy Team is to review and analyze issues associated with energy purchase and use and recommend to decision-makers of Maine public higher education specific actions or efforts that should be undertaken to achieve economic, environmental, and sustainable goals and initiatives.
The University of Maine System sponsored an Energy Summit for Higher Education in April 2005, with financial support from the US Department of Energy and Maine Public Utilities Commission, which had presentations focused on energy markets, performance contracting for energy efficiency projects, energy management systems, building commissioning, building local sustainability initiatives, and case studies from colleges and universities in other parts of the US. This conference was open to any public or private institution of higher education.
The Energy Team has explored the purchase of Maine produced wind energy and combined heat and power generation projects at USM and UM. These projects, although still in the investigatory phase, would provide environmental and economic benefits. The Energy Team continues to meet regularly.
The University of Southern Maine (USM) implemented a dozen projects in 2004/2005 to improve energy efficiency on its campuses. This included lighting upgrades, installation of control system to better manage energy use, and installation of meters to better measure energy use and efficiency. The University of Maine (UM) inventoried 3500 steam traps as part of their central heating system to identify malfunctioning traps for replacement. UM replaced steam lines past their service life and ended up saving over 3.2 million gallons of heated and treated water per year. UM also implemented lighting upgrades, improved energy controls, and continuous commissioning service to improve energy efficiency.
Hybrid vehicles have become more prevalent throughout the system with a total of 12 currently in service. UMS has also invested heavily in technology to facility meetings using audio and video services further reducing the need for travel.
University of Southern Maine (USM) and University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) have pursued LEED certification. USM’s John Mitchell Technology Center in Gorham is the second building to be LEED certified in Maine. USM’s Abromson Center in Portland is currently seeking LEED Gold Certification. This facility features a geo-thermal heating and cooling system, supplementary photovoltaic cells, radiant heat, displacement ventilation, heat recovery, and storm water recovery all making for a more sustainable building. UMF plans on having one LEED certified buildings (College of Education, Health, and Rehabilitation building for LEED Silver is currently under construction).
All new construction within the University is required to meet LEED standards as directed by Executive Order, certification is currently optional.
