Think Beyond Petroleum

July's Sustainable Living Tip

Help our country go "beyond petroleum." Most people think we need to drill for offshore gas and oil to meet our energy needs. Show them otherwise by choosing cleaner energy sources now.

Facts about Going "Beyond Petroleum"

1. According to Reuters, 56 percent of Americans polled in June 2010 believe offshore drilling is necessary for the United States to produce its own energy and not rely on other countries for oil.
2. Deep water drill rigs in the Gulf of Mexico are used to extract both oil and natural gas from rock formations under the ocean.
3. Oil and gas are global commodities, so it's hard to predict how lowering demand in the United States will affect any particular drill site. But lowering demand for fossil fuel anywhere in the world reduces the need to drill offshore for oil and gas everywhere in the world.
4. In the short term, you can help our country become more energy secure by reducing the amount of oil and gas you burn.
5. You will have the most impact on your consumption of oil and gas by focusing on three areas: 1) hot water, 2) transportation, and 3) home heating.
6. Installing low-flow shower heads and washing your clothes in cold water are two easy and effective ways to reduce your energy demand for hot water.
   
7. You can heat most of your domestic hot water (for showers, dish washing, laundry, etc.) this year and every year in the future with a solar hot water system.
8. Unless you carefully size your solar hot water system or can manage your demand, you will probably need a backup heat source to guarantee hot water is available all the time.
9. You can minimize your consumption of fossil fuel by choosing electricity or wood, rather than propane or natural gas, as the back up heat source for your solar hot water system.
   
10. Combining trips, carpooling, walking and bicycling more, and ensuring your tires are properly inflated are all ways you can reduce the amount of gas you burn for transportation.
11. Improving fuel efficiency will slightly reduce our country's need for oil. Switching to fully electric cars, trolleys and buses will dramatically reduce it.
12. Electric cars will be available in the United States starting in 2011, with mass market availability expected by 2012. Nissan estimates that by 2020 electric cars will account for 10% of the global market.
13. Batteries in electric cars may act as buffers to allow intermittent electricity sources like wind turbines to power a larger percentage of the grid without the need for natural gas turbines. If cars are plugged in to the grid while parked, their batteries can be charging when wind turbines are spinning, and discharging when wind turbines stop and the grid needs more power. Currently, stand by sources like hydro and natural gas need to be available to complement wind turbines and other intermittent renewable energy sources.
14. Weatherizing your home by sealing air leaks and improving insulation is one of the most effective ways to reduce your energy consumption. Efficiency Maine is running a summer special, giving up to $5,500 in state incentives to complete projects by August 31.
    
15. Installing zones and setting back your thermostat are also extremely effective energy conservation measures.
    
16. Replacing an old, inefficient heating system with a more efficient model is another way to reduce your energy consumption. But if you decide to replace your heating system you may want to consider switching energy sources as well.
17. In the long term, you can help our country achieve energy independence by choosing other energy sources instead of oil or gas.
18. According to the US Energy Information Administration, there are no natural gas or oil reserves in Maine.
19. Solar is the most significant energy source available to most Mainers. It is delivered daily throughout the state and can be harnessed with systems that are extremely durable and easy to maintain.
20. Wood is another energy source widely available. Systems that burn wood require more maintenance than systems that harness solar energy directly.
21. Wind is available to few Mainers. The best wind resources are along ridge lines, the coast, and offshore. Systems that harness wind energy tend to be difficult to maintain.
    
22. Electricity is a good choice for lowering your consumption of fossil fuel. Even though some natural gas is burned to generate electricity in Maine, you will still reduce your fossil fuel footprint by substituting electricity for heating oil, propane or natural gas. This is because much of the electricity in Maine is generated by hydro and biomass power plants, and an increasing amount is being generated by wind and solar.
23. If your house is currently connected to the public power grid, you can help clean up how electricity is generated in Maine by installing solar electric panels on your roof. Not only will you begin to supply your own power, but any excess power you produce will be used by your neighbors.

Environmental Happenings

Thursday, July 8 - Living Simply in an Affordable Solar Home, 7 pm, F.W. Horch, 56 Maine Street, Brunswick.  In 2008 Ben Tipton and his family sold their large home in Vermont, gave away or donated most of their possessions and moved to Maine. They now live more simply in a nearly carbon-free house, paying less than a dollar a day for utilities.  Join us to learn how Ben's family made the journey to "footprint reduction."  For more information, please call 729-4050. Free and open to the public.

Friday, July 9 - Friends of Highland Mountains, 7 pm, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. Jonathan Carter of Forest Ecology Network and Karen Pease of Friends of the Highland Mountains will show a documentary DVD and speak about the proposed 48 turbine wind project proposed for the Highland Mountains in western Maine. Join them to find out why they believe "industrial wind isn’t green and is destroying Maine’s mountains." Free and open to the public.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 9, 10, 11 - Maine Bike Rally, 1 pm, Brunswick High School. Bicyclists from across Maine, New England, other states, and Canada will gather again this summer for the 22nd annual Maine Bike Rally. The Maine Bike Rally is a combined effort of local enthusiasts, the Casco Bay Bicycle Club, Merrymeeting Wheelers Bicycle Club and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. The three-day event features both on-road and off-road rides as well as an accredited time-trial event. Riders can choose from more than 30 rides that vary in length from a short five miles to a 100-mile century ride winding through country lanes and shorelines. This year's event will be held at Brunswick High School with check-in and set up for campers beginning on Friday, July 9 at 1:00 pm. Bicyclists from Bath, Brunswick, Durham, Freeport, Harpswell, Topsham, and West-Bath ride for $15/person or $30/family meals not included. For more information, visit www.mainebikerally.org.

Saturday, July 10 - Merrymeeting Bay Bird Walk, 6:30-8:30 am, Bowdoinham.  Join Friends of Merrymeeting Bay to learn about the diversity of birds found around Merrymeeting Bay. Led by Will Broussard, ornithologist and acoustics expert, this walk will provide numerous opportunities to see, hear, and learn more about the birds utilizing the abundant resources around Merrymeeting Bay. From eagles and ospreys to indigo buntings and Baltimore orioles, this is one walk you won’t want to miss!  Pre-registration with trip leader Will Broussard at 837-9520 is required.

Saturday, July 10 - Seasonal Organic Recipe Demonstration, Augusta Farmers' Market, Turnpike Mall (Exit 109 off Interstate 95). The Maine Organic Farmer and Gardeners Association's Organic Marketing Consultant and Resident Chef Cheryl Wixson will host a "Show and Taste" event at the Augusta Farmers' Market. A long-time local foods advocate, Wixson inspires eaters of all ages to enjoy the pleasures of local eating. Plan on leaving inspired to cook, with ingredients and recipes in hand! Wixson's "Show and Taste" will be one in a series of special events at the Augusta Farmers' Market this summer. For more information, contact Sarah Lincoln-Harrison via email at sarah@ecofarm.org or by phone at 781-771-2034.

Sunday, July 11 - Georges River Land Trust Gardens in the Watershed garden tour, 10 am to 5 pm, rain or shine. Seven diverse, lovely gardens in South Thomaston, Thomaston and Cushing. Tickets $25 in advance; $28 on tour day. Gourmet bag lunch available by pre-order. For more information, call 594-5166 or email info@grlt.org

Saturday, July 17 - Local Foods Breakfast at Morris Farm, 8-11 am, 156 Gardiner Road, Wiscasset. Grace Goldberg, volunteer Chef at Morris Farm, also known for her work as the Give Peas a Chance Pea Soup Booth cooker at the Common Ground Fair, works magic in the kitchen with wholesome, organic, local ingredients. Menu includes eggs, home fries, blueberry scones, rhubarb coffeecake, coffee and tea. Adults $10, kids 5-12 $5, 4 and under eat free. For more information visit www.morrisfarm.org or call at 882-4080.

 

Saturday, July 17 - Boyd Street Bash, 11 am to 1 pm, Portland. Join Cultivating Community to celebrate the Urban Gardens, the Diversity of the Neighborhood and Urban Sustainability.  For more information, visit www.cultivatingcommunity.org

Friday, July 23 - Newforest Institute Open House, 9 am to 4 pm, Newforest Institute, 66 Monroe Highway, Brooks.  Join Bill Errickson & Lauren Buyofsky for instructional, hands-on permaculture garden projects in the morning, followed by lunch and a tour of the farm in the afternoon. Tour starts at 1:30 pm. Come for the morning, afternoon tour, or both!  Free, but please pre-register by calling 722-3625, emailing Bill@NewforestInstitute.org, or visiting www.newforestinstitute.org

Saturday, July 31 - Artisan Bread Fair, Skowhegan State Fairgrounds, Madison Avenue (210 North), Skowhegan. Wood-fired oven demonstrations, artisan bread samplings, and opportunities to talk with professional bakers and explore the best books, tools, and delicious accoutrements to artisan bread baking. For further information visit www.kneadingconference.com or contact Dusty Dowse, Fair Director, dowse@maine.edu, cell 717-4578.

Living Simply in an Affordable Green Home

We will host a talk by Ben Tipton titled "Living Simply in an Affordable Green Home," on Thursday, July 8, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. The talk is free and open to the public.

In 2008 Ben Tipton and his family sold their large home in Vermont, gave away or donated most of their possessions and moved to Maine. They now live in a nearly carbon-free house, enjoying a simple life with more time to spend as a family.

"We wanted to build a solar home that the average person could afford," says Ben. "We have succeeded and now our utility costs are less than a dollar a day."

Ben's talk will explain their family's journey to "footprint reduction." In addition to building an affordable solar home, they are growing some of their own food, live locally and sustainably. They believe you don't have to have a lot of money to live small. There will be a short presentation followed by an open discussion on the theme "I cannot change my past carbon footprint, but I will do everything possible to limit my children's."

Ben is not a leading expert and holds no awards or degrees in sustainability. He does, however, try to live with low impact on the earth and to teach his children about being good stewards of the planet. Recently his family's near zero energy home, which is part of the Solar Homes Tour, was featured in Design New England. His common sense and down to earth view of sustainability recognizes that it all starts with each person's story. "I hope you are inspired by my story," he says, "and I hope one day your story can inspire me."

This talk is part of the F.W. Horch series on sustainable living. Each monthly talk is held on the second Thursday of the month at the F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods & Supplies store, 56 Maine Street, Brunswick. Space is limited, so if you're interested in attending please call the store at 729-4050 to reserve a seat.