Making The Business Case For The Transition To Clean Energy—The ‘On The Pathway’ Project Made News With Its First Media Event.

Taking Practical Steps, 20 Maine Companies From Biddeford To The Blue Hill Peninsula Have Already Pledged To Stop Burning Fossil Fuel.

PORTLAND, MAINE, May 12, 2022—What do a bank, a bakery, a footwear company and a farm have in common? The owners of these Maine businesses have all committed to stop burning fossil fuel in their own operations. A nonprofit, business-led project called ‘On The Pathway To 100% Clean Energy’ made its first public announcement on May 11th. Gathered in a tenth floor meeting room at Portland’s One Canal Plaza, overlooking Maine’s first parking garage solar canopy, the tools and support resources of the initiative were introduced. The first 20 Maine businesses to sign their commitments to 100% clean energy were recognized.

East Brown Cow, owner of the Canal Plaza complex, and the Fore Street parking structure topped with solar panels, is one the growing list of Maine companies whose owners have officially pledged to eliminate their use of fossil fuel. They represent a diverse range of businesses including farmers, bankers, retailers, manufacturers, service providers and commercial property owners.

“These outstanding and committed owners, from Biddeford to Blue Hill, are already making meaningful changes in their businesses, trailblazing toward the goal of operating on 100% clean energy with zero emissions from fossil fuel,” said Fred Horch, volunteer project manager.

The ‘On The Pathway’ project has been developed to help every business owner in Maine take practical, cost-effective action to transition to clean energy for their own facilities, operations and vehicles—and share what they learn on the way. “With three key strategies: 1) optimize, 2) electrify, and 3) choose renewable power, you can benefit from the transition to clean energy,” said Horch.  “A well-planned, permanent transition to clean energy can lower your operating costs, strengthen your brand, and even help you recruit and retain employees."

Androscoggin Bank, with 12 branches across Central and Southern Maine, is one of the most recent businesses to sign its commitment to 100% clean energy. “Androscoggin Bank is excited to partner with ‘On the Pathway to 100% Clean Energy’ to advance our own journey towards clean energy, and we’re excited to share our experiences and learn from others along the way,” said Neil Kiely, President and CEO of Androscoggin Bank. “We know that business owners in Maine care deeply about the environment and that knowing where to start can be challenging. ‘On the Pathway’ creates an easy and approachable way for business owners to get started.”

The project offers a set of free, online tools to help Maine business owners quickly and easily plan and pursue a successful transition to clean energy, and be recognized as leaders by example on the path to a sustainable energy future for everyone. Getting started takes only a visit to the website, where business owners can join in three simple steps: first, sign the open letter to stakeholders to commit to the goal of 100% clean energy; second, share any steps already taken to reduce emissions from fossil fuel; and third, outline the milestones of a plan to stop burning fossil fuel, over time.

Joe Walsh, owner of Green Clean Maine, a residential cleaning company that serves about 300 homes in Southern Maine, has been using his good business acumen to make thoughtful energy decisions, such as installing electric heat pumps, switching to a renewable electricity supply, and adding rooftop solar panels. But he recognizes that he still has more to do. “Like others, I’ve been on the journey for a while, but I had kind of reached this point where I felt like I had done as much as I knew how to do on my own. And I really needed help and support to keep going on the journey to clean energy.”

Walsh’s company was one of the first to formally commit to the 100% clean energy goal of the initiative, and to begin using its web-based planning tools. “This project focuses on those practical, operations-based, actionable changes that businesses can make," said Walsh. "And what's exciting about it—these changes make business sense. There is a business case to be made for this.”

“What I love about the ‘On The Pathway’ project is that it acknowledges that this is a journey, and every business is going to be at a different place on their pathway to 100% percent clean energy,” added Walsh. “We operate more than twenty vehicles. Now that I’ve made the commitment to getting to 100% clean energy, I’m figuring out the business case for transitioning to electric vehicles.”

While the project provides its tools and support to business owners, one of its advisors sees an important role to be played by all Maine citizens. Sue Inches, Advisory Board member and author of Advocating For The Environment said, “One of the things I hear from all of the groups of ordinary people I talk to is, ‘What can I do about climate change?’ There are a lot of things to do, but there's one easy thing they can do. They can go to the ‘PathwayToCleanEnergy’ website and show their support by endorsing this project. And they can buy their products and services from those businesses that have committed to reducing their carbon footprint.”

Seven corporate sponsors have provided the initial funding for the effort. Leading the way is Lamey-Wellehan Shoes, the iconic Maine footwear retailer, is the premier sponsor. Three other major sponsors include: Androscoggin Bank, Geiger, and Spark Applied Efficiency. Additional corporate sponsors include: GWI, Green Clean Maine and ReVision Energy.

‘On The Pathway to 100% Clean Energy’ is a project with a clear, achievable goal, not an organization that will exist indefinitely. “The goal is to help business owners in Maine succeed with smart decisions, as we all make the inevitable transition from fossil fuel to clean energy,” said project manager Horch. “Today, committing to operate your business without burning fossil fuel is bold and noteworthy, but one day soon, ‘On The Pathway To 100% Clean Energy’ will be just the way business is done in Maine.”

‘On the Pathway to 100% Clean Energy’ is a nonprofit, nonpartisan project initiated by a group of Maine business owners, for the benefit of all. The project is managed by a volunteer project manager and guided by an independent advisory board. Funding comes from companies and individuals who believe that Maine’s business community can work together—starting now—to help build Maine’s carbon neutral economy by 2045. A list of participating companies may be found here.