Maine Partners for Cool Communities

The Eliot Energy Commission was. formed November, 2006 and worked on a mission that states:

The mission of Eliot Energy Commission shall be to promote increased energy conservation, efficiency and local energy production throughout the town of Eliot.

Accomplishments:

Eliot developed aTown Energy Policy which is included in draft Comprehensive Plan and received positive feedback at Comp Plan public hearing. The Policy includes: 1) Reduce municipal dependence on fossil fuels, 2) Promote sustainable municipal building practices, 3) Consider sustainability as a primary factor in all municipal capital expenditures, 4) Encourage community participation in energy conservation and policies.

An energy audits for municipal buildings with help from State Energy Program and local energy auditors has been completed. Identified lighting, sensors, HVAC, insulation, windows, vending machines, air infiltration, elevator at Police Station.

The committee has

* toured regional energy savings operations including solar, wind, geothermal and cogen
* Developed energy costs by building. Now monitoring current usage. Seventy percent of municipal electricity used by (in order) sewer pumps, police, street lights, and the Town Hall. Town Hall updates in process, some other updates started.
* Will help departments with cost benefit analysis. Specific help requested by Police Dept. for HVAC and elevator loads.
* Developed solar and wind ordinances adopted by Town
* Implemented Energy education for homeowners and schools. Schools participate in Maine Energy Education Program. Distributed “10 ways to save $100” flyer. Developed resource kit of home energy information and tools that residents can check out of the library.
* Hosted a biodiesel work session attended by fleet managers for Eliot, York, Kittery and SAD 35 Schools.
* Community Communication - looking at web site, articles in newspapers and flyers from Community Service dept and Library. SAD 35 Adult Ed includes energy related courses. Will plan more public information sessions and school programs.
* Would like to set up an alternate energy demonstration system in the Town Center, Police interested in demo site for solar HW.
* Eliot and SAD 35 members of Maine Power Options - a Maine aggregator to get lower energy prices for 750 municipal and non profit members. Use aggregation electricity pricing at (3) sewer pumping stations. SAD 35 uses aggregation pricing for fuel oil and electricity. Plan to address electricity surcharge issue with MPO help. EEC will also explore other regional energy purchasing opportunities.
* Police have switched to more fuel efficient vehicles for some applications. Hope suitable hybrid vehicles (with enough space) available in near future. High powered engines not important in Eliot.Police
* olice participate in Irving Oil’s low cost fuel program for municipalities (10 cents over rack price).
* developed two ordinances for our town, one for solar and one for small wind.
* keeping abreast of local alternative energy initiatives. We have attended informational meetings on the tidal energy permits FERC has issued in the Piscataqua River. We are going for a tour of a solar home next month. At some point we would like to install alternative energy systems on the town buildings in Eliot.