Oakhurst Adds Hybrid Truck

WMTW:

"The Portland-based company said the truck will use between 30 percent and 50 percent less fuel than its conventional trucks, burning about nine gallons a day as it delivers products to locations within 70 miles of Portland.

As part of the company's environmental commitment, Oakhurst said it has also installed a new solar energy system with 216 solar panels at its Waterville distribution center."

Wind Testing on Peaks

A tower to test the potential for wind power will may be going up on Peaks Island. There is talk of one on the East End too.

"Proponents now plan to erect a 112-foot wind gauge on Peaks Island this fall, before the ground freezes. The project on Munjoy Hill, though, remains on hold.

The gauge on Peaks will be erected on city-owned land in Trott-Littlejohn Park near the transfer station in the middle of the island. A group of Peaks Island residents is working with Unity College on the project.

Sam Saltonstall, a Peaks resident who is leading the effort, said wind speeds must be monitored for a year or two to provide investors with accurate data." - Portland Press Herald

New Portland Blog

Corey, who has a nice photo blog, has started a new blog: Walk Around Portland, "a blog about the car-free lifestyle in Portland, Maine."

via Rights of Way

Peaks Island Thinking About Wind

Some residents of Peaks Island are looking to start a two-year study on the amount of wind the island gets. They are on the electric grid, unlike Vinalhaven, so they will need to have a lot of wind to make it financially viable.

But of course when the summer folks find out about it, lack of wind may not be the only problem the group might face.

Green Streets Day tomorrow

Get discounts all over town if you do a 'green' commute. A bit more challenging theses days - though carpooling qualifies.

East End Wind Power?

The Press Herald reports on the delay in installing a wind meter at the East End School because of neighborhood complaints. I can understand some people's concerns about ice, but I'm skeptical this 'wind turbine syndrome.' But the main issue is that for now they are just trying to find out how much wind is there. If there is enough, then you can figure out what the best solution might be - since the big wind mills are not the only option.

UPDATE: Here's more from Munjoy Hill News

Oakhurst goes solar

"Oakhurst Dairy will install solar hot water panels on the roof of its Forest Avenue facility to cut down on energy use and reduce carbon emissions.

The panels represent a step toward the Portland company's goal of reducing carbon emissions 20 percent by 2010. By using the panels to pre-heat water used in the dairy plant, the company said it expects to save 5,000 gallons of heating oil a year. Recovering waste heat from the system will save an estimated 2,500 additional gallons of oil."

- MaineToday.com

Bike rack bill passes

"The City Council last night passed a new ordinance that will require bicycle racks in proportion to car parking spots in new development projects in the city. Right before the meeting, the City Hall bike rack (right) was full, and several attendees had to bring their rides indoors for lack of adequate parking."

- Rights of Way

Portland is Greenest

Good to hear, though we need to work on our bike lanes.

"Organic Gardening Magazine named Portland the top green city of its size in the United States, city officials announced today.

The magazine cited Portland's plentiful parks and trails, as well as its climate protection agreement, anti-idling ordinance and use of biodiesel for city-owned vehicles.

Portland's category included cities with fewer than 150,000 people.

"Organic Gardening confirms what those who call Portland home already know: This is a great, healthy and clean city for people to live, work and play," said City Manager Joseph Gray Jr.

- MaineToday.com