American Lung Association of Maine Reduces Their Carbon Emissions by 46%
Join the growing number of Maine’s Environmental Leaders and their winning strategy of reducing carbon, conserving energy, and saving money! The American Lung Association of Maine, a participant in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge, has achieved a distinctive 46% reduction in carbon emissions. They have far surpassed their goal to reduce carbon 10% by 2010, and two years ahead of time. The American Lung Association of Maine is known primarily for its leading efforts to fight and prevent lung disease in Maine as well as for their annual bicycling tour event: Trek Across Maine, Sunday River to the Sea. (The Trek is now accepting both volunteers and registrants for participation in its 25th Anniversary event beginning on June 19, 2009.) And the Association’s Healthy Air Campaign, for both indoor and outdoor air, is their most recent and third major public health intervention, following their successful efforts in tuberculosis control and tobacco.
Since moving into their State Street Augusta office in 1997, the American Lung Association of Maine has performed significant weatherization work on their building, increasing their energy efficiency and lowering their fuel consumption by at least 25%. In addition to reaping carbon emissions reduction benefits and saving on fuel usage, their office space is more comfortable now too.
The Association’s practices that contribute to carbon reductions and sustainability include:
- Purchased 100% renewable electrical energy;
- Conducted an energy audit with the Efficiency Maine program of the Maine Public Utilities Commission;
- Installed additional attic insulation to improve building envelope and reduce energy use;
- Conserved energy use by turning off lighting;
- Reduced waste by using less paper;
- Upgraded office lighting and computer equipment for increased energy efficiency.
Norman Anderson, Regional Director, Environmental Health & Research says, “Participation in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge is a fundamental activity for the American Lung Association of Maine. As a public health organization, we believe it is particularly important for us to operate our building in a manner that promotes healthy outdoor and indoor air quality.”
The Governor’s Carbon Challenge is operated from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Office of Innovation and Assistance. Nearly 80 businesses, municipalities and institutions participate in the program. For more information about this and other Environmental Leader programs, contact DEP’s Office of Innovation & Assistance toll-free at 1-800-789-9802 or by visiting our web site.
