Dear Editor:

Thanks again to Boothbay Harbor businesses from 350 Maine!

Local 350 Maine members joined local solar business professional Mike Mayhew of Heliotropic Technologies for a tour to say thanks to 16 downtown harbor businesses that have participated in an exciting public-private partnership project to save energy and money.

In total 87 businesses on the Boothbay peninsula have participated thus far. The local 350 Maine tour was part of a national day of action for local communities to “draw the line” on increasing fossil fuel reliance and to showcase clean energy solutions.

Again and again 350 Mainers heard from Boothbay Harbor business owners that they are saving energy and money as the LED lights they've installed produce little heat and excellent light at just a fraction of the cost of their previous lighting installations. This means air conditioning systems are more efficient and effective, making happier customers, several business owners said.

Some of the businesses we visited, including House of Logan and Flagship Inn have put up PV (solar power) arrays, and other business owners said they are moving towards that renewable energy solution and other ways to use less energy. To call attention to Energy Awareness Month (October) and the Boothbay area businesses participating in the energy project, 350 Maine is launching a Green Ribbon Campaign.

Businesses are invited to prominently display a green ribbon provided by 350 Maine, and the environmental organization will hang posters throughout the community encouraging citizens and visitors to look for the green ribbons, talk to the businesses about their energy projects, and say thanks for leading the way to a clean energy future.

To get a ribbon delivered to your business, please contact local 350 Maine volunteer Andy Burt at 207-380-5387 or annedburt145@gmail.com.

Additionally, Heliotropic Technologies still has 50kW of solar power incentives available as part of the pilot project. Any homeowner or business on the Boothbay peninsula from the River Road south, is eligible.

350 Maine is a local affiliation of 350.org that works globally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions leading to global climate change and ocean acidification.

Anne D. Burt
Edgecomb