Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center: First Environmental Leader in Hospitality

Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center is the first business to become a certified Maine Environmental Leader in the hospitality business sector. The Inn is a participant in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge, a voluntary program initiated in 2003 to encourage Maine businesses, municipalities, and educational institutions to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. It is home to Maine’s largest solar energy array, and has been generating the equivalent of about 50% of its electrical needs from renewable energy from a wind turbine that sits atop a hill near the facility (installed in 2003) and from a large rooftop solar electric array (installed at the end of 2006.)

Maple Hill Farm Inn’s leadership and long-standing commitment to reducing energy use and relying on clean, renewable energy, while minimizing environmental impact, is apparent in both the big and little ways they conduct their hospitality business and educate their guests and visitors.

Maple Hill Farm’s good business and environmental practices include:

202 vacuum collector tubes comprising the solar hot water system will greatly reduce the inn’s consumption of fuel oil used to heat water and produce most of their domestic hot water needs, including large whirlpool tubs and a commercial kitchen;
126 photovoltaic rooftop panels that generate up to 15 kilowatts of electrical power. As part of their commitment to public education, the output of their solar electric system (both instantaneous and other various periods of time) can be monitored on their web site www.MapleBB.com;
The solar hot water and solar electric systems are expected to reduce the inn’s annual carbon dioxide emissions by 40,000 pounds;
A wind turbine atop a 100-foot-tall tower installed on the property’s high point can crank out up to 10 kilowatts of power;
Compact fluorescents that are used in all common areas and skylights that provide natural light to public spaces greatly reduce lighting electric demand;
Guest room amenities are provided in bulk wall-mounted dispensers rather than individual single-use containers;
Maple Hill Farm’s Gathering Place conference center uses real dishes, silverware, linen napkins and tablecloths—no plastic or paper goods.

Scott Cowger, Director of Outreach and Communication at DEP, is co-owner of the Maple Hill Farm Inn (since Cowger joined the DEP in December 2006, the Department no longer holds any meetings or functions at Maple Hill Farm.) For more information about participation in the Maine Environmental Leader programs, including the Governor’s Carbon Challenge, contact the Office of Innovation toll-free at 1-800-789-9802 or by visiting www.maine.gov/dep/innovation.