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

City of Saco is Implementing Measures to Achieve Sustainability

 

The City of Saco is one of the first cities in Maine to participate in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge, and has implemented many measures towards achieving their 25% carbon emissions reduction goal by 2010.  Saco’s progress in helping the environment and saving money includes:  

  • Conversion of all traffic lights from bulbs to light emitting diodes (LED);
  • Resolution declaring Saco a “Zero Waste Community” committing to the guiding principles of zero waste and reducing residential waste stream by 75% by 2010;
  • Replacement of sixteen refrigerators with energy efficient models (totaling a savings of $2,200 annually with a three-year payback);
  • Upgrade of computers from CRT’s (cathode ray tubes) with new flat screens that will consume 90% less energy;
  • Implementation of renewable and energy efficiency technology at the City’s wastewater treatment plant—the City’s largest energy consumer including a wind turbine, solar heated building, high efficiency motors and pumps, and programmable thermostat temperature controls;
  • Upgrade of lighting in all City buildings (leading to one-third cut in power consumption by school);
  • Travel using a pure electric (Zenn) car (acquired by City in November, 2007);
  • New train station to be heated using geothermal system.

For more information about participation in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge and other Environmental Leader programs, contact the Office of Innovation.  Please call 207-287-4432 or www.maine.gov/dep/innovation/gcc.