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SEPTEMBER 2013 HELPING MAINE MUNICIPALITIES Case Studies in Energy Efficiency WELCOME unicipal OFFICES DELIVER vitally important reduce maintenance costs and improve process- es, resulting in even greater savings. That was services to their communities, and today’s the case with a wastewater treatment facility in municipalities have to do much more Bethel, where an energy-efficient variable fre- quency drive actually helped improve opera- with much less. This challenge applies to tions, specifically by improving the process of oxygen aeration. municipalities’ management of multiple In the case of electrical savings, the facilities, including fire and police stations, athletic centers, beneficiaries weren’t only the municipalities M that participated in the program, or the residents public works garages, gyms, parks, and city streets, and of those communities. Rather, these projects benefited everyone on the electric grid by requires planning and perseverance when dealing with the reducing or deferring the need to build new and cost of energy at these facilities. expensive transmission lines and substations. This report highlights several examples of Towns operate like small busi- $9.6 million in federal Recovery towns that used these funds in various ways and nesses, with at least one major Act funds through the Depart- were selected as examples of best practices that exception: municipalities are ment of Energy to help Maine’s may be replicated elsewhere. Participants limited in how they can raise cities and towns (and a few discovered that energy efficiency is the least cost revenues. In recent years, large industrial customers) energy resource. municipalities have worked upgrade their energy infrastruc- The grant period is over, but Efficiency Maine hard looking for ways to reduce ture. The goals of the federal offers a number of incentives and informational operating costs. Many munic- program were to reduce total resources to help municipalities use energy more ipal facilities are often old and energy use, improve energy effi- efficiently. outdated, which further adds ciency, and reduce fossil fuel Regards, to the challenge. Reduced bud- emissions. gets have often resulted in From Aroostook to York delayed maintenance and Counties, more than 100 com- upgrades to these buildings. munities benefitted from these The timing of the Energy Efficiency and Con- grants. These projects resulted in municipal servation Block Grant Program was perfect. facilities that were not only more energy effi- From 2009 to 2013, at the height of the econom- cient, but safer and more comfortable. Some- MICHAEL STODDARD ic downturn, Efficiency Maine administered times, improved energy efficiency helped Executive Director, Efficiency Maine For more information on how your town can save energy and money through energy efficiency, visit www.efficiencymaine.com/municipal. While you’re there, be sure to check out video testimonials from 12 communities statewide. These communities will continue to realize benefits year after year. So can yours. 5 CONTENTS Welcome ................................................................................... 2 Introduction .............................................................................. 4 The Energy Audit and Planning Process ..................................... 5 Lighting.....................................................................................6 Caribou ................................................................................ 6 Vassalboro ........................................................................... 7 Heating and Water Heating .......................................................8 Allagash............................................................................... 8 St. Francis ............................................................................ 9 8 Water/Wastewater ................................................................... 10 Bethel .................................................................................10 10 Renewable Energy ....................................................................11 Thomaston ......................................................................... 11 Farmington .........................................................................12 Community Weatherization .....................................................13 Unity ...................................................................................13 Whole Building Solutions ........................................................ 14 Alfred .................................................................................14 Strong ................................................................................15 The Staged Approach to Building Upgrades ..............................17 16 Appendix A: Table With Towns and Project Type ..................... 18 Appendix B: Map With Participating Communities .................20 Visit us at www.efficiencymaine.com for more information HELPING MAINE MUNICIPALITIES: Case Studies in Energy Efficiency 3 Introduction IN 2009, EFFICIENCY MAINE was awaRDED $9,593,500 from solutions including destratification fans, air exchange heating systems, and solar walls. the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the Recovery The intent of highlighting these profiles is to Act or ARRA) to help local governments promote, implement, help municipalities – many of which are struggling with ever-shrinking budgets and and manage energy efficiency and conservation projects and increased costs –save money by making energy- efficient improvements that don’t simply save programs designed to: taxpayer dollars on a one-time basis, but for the life of the installed measures. ■■ Reduce fossil fuel emissions; In some instances, the stated energy and ■■ Reduce total energy use; financial savings estimates were calculated by the town officials and their own impact from ■■ Improve energy efficiency; and savings analyses such as comparing utility bills. ■■ Create and retain jobs. In other cases, particularly in those where not enough time has passed to verify estimated These funds constituted Maine’s share of the committees. Leveraging grant resources with savings, calculations are based on industry U.S. Department of Energy’s nationwide program local matching funds, municipal leaders oversaw modeling assumptions. called the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block efficiency upgrades at various municipal Participants often realized additional benefits Grants (EECBG). Efficiency Maine managed buildings including town halls, community such as reduced maintenance cost and increased Maine’s EECBG activities from November 2009 centers, fire and police stations, libraries, water comfort of work spaces. Some community to May 2013, awarding more than 100 grants to treatment facilities, and other public buildings. leaders said that the benefits they realized municipalities across the state. A variety of thermal and electric measures were became the catalyst for making additional energy A number of municipalities used these grants installed, from simple but essential lighting efficiency improvements – even helping local to first develop energy management plans, upgrades and insulation to more complex and residents look for ways to save energy and money conduct energy audits, and form energy technologically sophisticated equipment in their own homes. ■ 4 HELPING MAINE MUNICIPALITIES: Case Studies in Energy Efficiency The Energy Audit and Planning Process ITH manY municipalities managing old, “The most large, and outdated buildings, heating and powering these facilities is expensive. indispensable Many town offices have already taken steps tool in all of this to close off upper floors of their buildings process was the Wto save energy, and are keeping thermostats as low as possible. In some communities, such as Allagash and St. integrity of the structure. energy audit.” Francis, municipal officials knew that advances In these cases, an energy audit played a vital DaVID POtteR in energy efficiency technology could help role in guiding municipalities to make the right Grant Writer/Consultant them save considerable money on their heating investments to maximize savings. Most and electric bills. However, they weren’t sure participants profiled in this report say an where to begin or how to pay for the upgrades. energy audit – sometimes conducted at a professional energy assessor or contractor to Elsewhere, as in Alfred and Strong, town numerous facilities within a single conduct a detailed energy assessment outlining offices were located in beautiful, classic municipality–served as the foundation and first various cost-effective energy efficiency buildings on the National Register of Historic step in the process of pursuing their EECBG measures. Places, and local officials were cautious about projects. Municipalities, either through a local Audits also allowed towns to prioritize making changes that might affect the historic energy committee or local town officials, hired which measures to focus on in one or more community buildings. Through a detailed audit report, the contractor or assessor guided municipal officials on what critical first steps to take before making deeper investments. For example, replacing inefficient incandes- cent or halogen lights with more energy effi- cient lights was a common recommendation. So too were installing cellulose insulation, weatherizing attics, crawl spaces and base- ments, and sealing up cracks and holes that allow