In The News

Green Improvements Work on Every Level

In 2008, facing a declining economy and soaring energy costs, Tex Tech Industries of North Monmouth began to evaluate two possible plans for lowering operating costs: the first to move part of their Maine-based operations closer to manufacturers in China, the second to upgrade to cost effective alternative energy and lower energy costs to retain 40 Maine jobs.

After learning about new biomass equipment that could replace an old inefficient boiler, saving the company more than $400,000 a year in fuel costs, Tex Tech officials chose to upgrade. The company needed help acquiring the new equipment, however, and turned to Efficiency Maine for access to more than $746,000 in Industrial Grant funds. A manufacturer of tennis ball felt, Tex Tech Industries is one of the first Maine businesses to benefit from the new Efficiency Maine Large Project Fund that is funded in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“Green improvements can be challenging for businesses,” said Ken Bundy, Director of Engineering Services. “Changing infrastructure can be costly up front, and many businesses like ours find it hard to make that kind of investment right now, even though improvements will pay for themselves in the long run. The grants through Efficiency Maine made it possible for us to get the improvements going.”

Tex Tech was one of 63 companies and organizations that submitted competitive grant proposals seeking a combined $30 million dollars from Efficiency Maine’s $9 million fund for large industrial projects. Tex Tech was among the top 16 companies that received project funding based on cost effectiveness, readiness and economic impact.

“The Tex Tech biomass project is outstanding,” says Efficiency Maine’s Ian Burnes. “We are thrilled to be able to work with the company to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase their competitive position in the marketplace.” The design phase for the biomass project is done, and site prep is near completion. When the project is finished at the end of this year, the new system will not only save Tex Tech money, it will also reduce the company’s use of oil by at least 165,000 gallons per year, thereby dramatically reducing its carbon footprint.

The biomass project works on every level. “It benefits the plant’s production capabilities by making us more efficient, strengthens the local economy by preserving 40 local jobs, and benefits the environment,” explained Bundy.

For more information about the business programs offered through Efficiency Maine click here.