State of Maine BGS Attains 41% Reduction in Carbon Emissions and State Agencies Work Together Toward Clean Government Initiative Goals
The State of Maine Bureau of General Services has attained a 41% reduction in carbon emissions for the Augusta Eastside Campus facility exceeding their initial 10% reduction goal set for 2010 as part of the Governor’s Carbon Challenge. In addition to participating in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge program, Maine state agencies are working together to meet the environmental goals of the Clean Government Initiative (CGI,) first implemented in 2006. The Initiative includes an Executive Order for the state to purchase 40% of its own power from renewable resources. Since July 1, 2006, the state has purchased 100 percent of its electricity from renewable resources through the purchases of renewable energy credits. The State has also led the way in the use of biodiesel. And over the past seven years, Maine’s Central Fleet Management has increased its number of efficient hybrid vehicles from one to more than 80 hybrids. These help to reduce carbon emissions too. Other aspects of the CGI include state procurement of environmentally friendly commodities and services (including cleaning chemicals, electronics, lights, uniforms and paper,) as assessed on a life cycle basis. Director of the Bureau of General Services, Chip Gavin says, "We're excited about all the clean and green initiatives at the Bureau of General Services, and I'm certainly proud of the team for what they've accomplished. We will continue to seek out new and cost-effective strategies to reduce our environmental impact and increase our state's energy independence."
Director of Property Management at BGS, Rick Buotte, is pleasantly surprised by the reported progress for the Eastside Campus in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge and points to a number of things that have been done to reach this level of success. "We are very pleased with our progress to date under the Carbon Challenge program. Our focus has been heavily on conservation measures and we are excited about continuing to look for other ways to improve, such as alternative fuels and other innovative technologies." Fuel use has been converted from #6 to #2, and the State is purchasing 100% renewable energy credits. Other changes include turning off boilers during the summer time, and converting to biodiesel (B5), with possibly others to follow.
The Governor’s Carbon Challenge is a voluntary goal-setting program to assist businesses and non-profit organizations accomplish their greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
