Every Maine Business Can Get ‘On The Pathway.’
Have a peek at how one Maine company has outlined its clean energy plan.
Outlining Your Plan
Getting ‘On The Pathway To 100% Clean Energy’ really is as simple as 1, 2, 3.
1. Commit to a bold goal: powering your business with 100% clean energy. Register, then sign the Commitment Letter to let your stakeholders know you will stop burning fossil fuel.
2. Take a first meaningful step to reduce your own use of fossil fuel through efficiency, electrification or renewable energy, starting your journey to 100% clean energy.
3. Outline your plan to achieve 100% clean energy. Lower costs and garner goodwill as you thoughtfully eliminate all of your own emissions over time.
If you haven’t already done so, you can register your company and then review the Commitment Letter here.
Once you’ve made the Commitment, and taken a first, meaningful step, it’s time to outline your Pathway Plan to 100% Clean Energy. Your individualized plan begins with a calculation of your current emissions from fossil fuel. You’ll then have the basis for developing a series of Milestones—the actions and target dates—each designed to eliminate a percentage of your emissions, over the timeline that works for your business. Step-by-step you’ll be ‘On The Pathway To 100% Clean Energy.’
Here's an example of a simple, practical and meaningful Pathway Plan. It was shared with us by Doug Hylan, president of Hylan & Brown Boatbuilders of Brooklin, Maine. Doug’s company has already achieved its first, important milestone—the installation of its solar array. Four additional Milestones are planned over the several years. Year-by-year, Doug and his company are progressing along their Pathway to 100% Clean Energy. You can learn more about Hylan & Brown Boatbuilders and their clean energy journey here.
Ready To Get Started?
Calculating Your Emissions: How and why do you burn coal, oil and gas for your business? How much does each fuel contribute to your total emissions?
Our online tool calculates an estimate of the carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel, either burned directly in your own facilities and vehicles or indirectly by your electricity supplier. If you rent, include electricity and heating costs that you pay. You will see a series of questions about the electricity and fuel you buy. These are known as your Scope 1 and Scope 2 Emissions.
Energy purchased by other businesses, your employees and your customers is beyond the scope of this calculator. Those are known as your Scope 3 Emissions. Find the Emissions Calculator here.
Outlining Your Pathway Plan
Starting Line: Baseline Emissions
Report the emissions from the fossil fuel (coal, oil, gas, etc.) you are buying and burning for your own energy needs.
Milestones to 100% Clean Energy
A "milestone" is an action and a deadline to eliminate a percentage of your emissions. For example, one of your milestones might be "transition to electric vehicles" to eliminate 25% of your baseline emissions by 12/31/2025. Your milestones should add up to 100%.
There’s plenty of help available to you, whether its assistance with the calculating your emissions baseline, or determining the most appropriate actions, estimated costs, and the timeline that’s best for your business. Please be in touch and we’ll help connect you with the support you need.
Images courtesy of Hylan & Brown Boatbuilders
