MaineHousing Achieves Reductions in Governor's Carbon Challenge
A leader in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge, MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority) has accomplished a 44% reduction in their carbon emissions from their 2002 baseline year! MaineHousing has made many changes including reducing electricity use and changing transportation habits to become a more green operation. Their carbon emission reduction goes well beyond their 10% reduction goal for 2010. “We’re very glad that we’re participating in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge. It has involved and energized the whole staff and even helped us become a more attractive place for people to work,” says Director Dale McCormick.
MaineHousing also promotes green building practices while leading by example. MaineHousing is the first state housing finance agency in the country to adopt green building standards for all the new housing it finances. These standards make the housing 30% more efficient, better for the environment, and healthier for the occupants. MaineHousing offers programs and services that make housing more affordable to Maine people, with more than 90,000 people expected to benefit from their programs this year.
MaineHousing has made both big and small changes with electricity use (and generation,) as part of their commitment to sustainable living. They have moved away from the use of electricity produced from more conventional energy sources to 100% renewable (hydro,) and installed roof top solar panels to generate clean electricity. A second big change was the installation of light sensors throughout the building, reducing electricity consumption and carbon emissions (488,293 pounds of CO2) with an immediate savings of $14,784.60 over cost in their first year. Other emissions reductions come from smaller changes like more efficient coffee makers. And energy conservation changes are being realized by reducing their lighting use by one-third.
Changes in employee travel, both through use of more efficient fleet vehicles and commuting choices, have also reduced emissions. MaineHousing’s fleet grew (adding three efficient hybrid vehicles in addition to increased vehicle miles,) but reduced carbon emissions by more than 18,000 pounds of CO2 equivalents in 2006. And implementation of flex time and telecommuting provided further carbon emission reductions.
Other notable changes to reduce paper waste include the installation of hand dryers to replace paper towels, as well as cloth napkins and “real” dishes resulting in the need for an energy efficient dishwasher. And future plans for building improvements through improved insulation, sealants, and installation of a new boiler, are being made to help reduce carbon emissions from heating fuel use.
The Governor’s Carbon Challenge, operated out of DEP’s Office of Innovation, is a voluntary goal-setting program to assist businesses and non-profit organizations accomplish their greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
