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Yarmouth, Maine Reduced Oil Use in Municipal Buildings by 21% as Governor’s Carbon Challenge Participant

 

 

Yarmouth, Maine has reduced their oil use in municipal buildings by 21% and is working to save energy and reduce their carbon emissions as a participant in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge.  The goal of Yarmouth’s municipal committee of citizen volunteers, Yarmouth Energy Savers (YES), is to reduce municipal carbon emissions by 20% before December, 2010.         

Yarmouth has already completed a number of projects that contribute to saving energy and money and sustainability that include:

  • Replacing the North Road Fire Station oil burning furnace with more efficient propane furnace;
  • Installing a high efficiency oil furnace in the library;
  • Upgrading pump station pumps at waste water treatment plant with more energy efficient replacements;
  • Installing more energy efficient lighting at the library, transfer station, fire station, and waste water treatment plant;
  • Installing a new HVAC control system in the Town Hall.

Future projects identified in their 2008 energy audit include installing room occupancy sensors, setback thermometers, and conference room controls.  The town is also evaluating electricity usage for Yarmouth’s 660 streetlights to investigate electricity savings by reducing wattage and number of lights used.       

The town is also working with the Greater Portland Council of Governments on a pilot program with two other communities, to include tracking Yarmouth’s business and residential energy usage, in addition to their municipal usage, and furthering their move toward sustainability.         

YES co-chair, Marge Titcomb, notes “Our accomplishments are possible only because of the strong support we have received from the Yarmouth staff, especially our Town Engineer, Dan Jellis, and Town Manager, Nat Tupper.  Their willingness to make the time to implement these energy conservation measures is essential to meeting the Governor’s Challenge.”   

For more information about participation in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge and Maine’s Environmental Leader programs, visit our web site at www.MaineDEP.com or contact the Office of Innovation and Assistance at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection at 1-800-789-9802. 

August, 2009