Maine Partners for Cool Communities

An Energy Policy was adopted by the town of Freeport in 2006 and the town took the initiative to reduce the energy level within the city’s buildings. Efficiency Maine helped launch the program by donating $1,500 to the town of Freeport. Overall, the initiative program conserved only carbon dioxide emission as well as tax- payers’ dollars. More recently the town has adopted a no-idling policy for municipal vehicles.

BACKGROUND

The Building Energy Policy was accepted by the Town Council and eventually implemented by Freeport’s administrative staff.

INITIATIVES TAKEN

Freeport’s administrative staff repaired the heating control systems in the Public Safety Building as well as the Community Library. A new system of high-efficiency fluorescent fixtures was installed inside the lighting system of the Public Safety garage. Prior to the Energy Policy, the town of Freeport converted most of their buildings’ incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs.

RESULTS
Switching the lighting systems to fluorescent bulbs helped save 80 % of the energy used per bulb. The initiated policy saved 3,700 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.

ECONOMICS
Aside from environmental benefits, the Energy Policy contributed greatly towards financial savings. The total cost savings from the program amounted to $1,620 for 12,000 KW-hrs per year. The cost of the project leaves a pay back period of only 4 years.