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DEP Home > Innovation > Governor's Carbon Challenge > Participants

Town of Manchester Achieves Carbon Reduction in Governor’s Carbon Challenge

 

 

Manchester is one of Maine’s leading municipalities in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge  and has achieved a 3% reduction in carbon emissions.  The town has also reduced their electricity use by 10% through improvements in energy efficiency, etc.  The town is progressing on their way to achieving their voluntary goal of 17% reduction by 2010.       

Manchester is committed towards improving their energy efficiency, saving money, and reducing carbon emissions.  The newly constructed fire station (opening July, 2009) was built using LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) specifications including superinsulation, energy efficient windows, and Energy Star systems for saving energy and reducing fuel costs. 

Other practices that contribute to carbon reductions and sustainability include:

  • Installing more efficient town office lighting (two-year payback);
  • Installing more efficient school lighting;
  • Upgrading all employees to EnergyStar rated computer equipment;
  • Installing more efficient (variable speed motors) at school;
  • Using more efficient (LED) holiday lighting;
  • Using propane as heating fuel for fire station;
  • Encouraging pedestrian transportation and updating comprehensive plan accordingly;
  • Removal and recycling plans for old fire station building;
  • Increasing recycling through adoption of “single-stream” recycling program;  

The town is also investigating the installation of solar panels on their new fire station.  The panels would be designed to provide the entire electricity supply for the fire station as well as 80% of the town office electricity.

Jeremy Pare, Selectman in Manchester says, “It’s only natural to see saving money on energy bills and reducing one’s environmental impact as a move in the right direction for current and future generations in our town.  We’re bringing more creative energy to the table over the next few years through comprehensive planning and more design improvements throughout our small town and, hopefully, the region at large.”     

For more information about your participation in the Maine Environmental Leader programs, visit our web site or contact the Office of Innovation and Assistance at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection at 1-800-789-9802. 

July, 2009