In The News

Old Town Businesses Reduce Energy Costs

Two Old Town businesses are staying strong and competitive after making energy efficiency improvements supported by Efficiency Maine. Old Town Fuel and Fiber and Old Town Canoe, manufacturing and operations hub for Johnson Outdoors Watercraft, received financial incentives from Efficiency Maine’s Large Projects Grant Program made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The companies were among the winners of a competitive selection process due in large part to the long term economic impact their energy improvements will have on the organizations and the local community.

Old Town Fuel and Fiber received an investment of $377,000 from Efficiency Maine to recycle hot air from their boiler housing that will reduce fossil fuel consumption and save the equivalent of 200,000 gallons of fuel oil per year( 30,000 MMBTU). This and other energy efficiency projects have helped the company to retain the 200 full-time workers currently employed at the mill, and company officials anticipate adding more jobs in the future.

“A key business initiative at Old Town Fuel and Fiber is reducing energy costs,” stated utilities superintendent Ian Spencer. “This project significantly reduces energy costs and contributes to the future viability of our Old Town mill.”

As part of a five-phase energy reduction plan, Old Town Canoe will use the $113,000 investment from Efficiency Maine to build a new gas-fired oven used in the canoe making process, reducing the need for fuel oil and saving $40,000 dollars a year. The company expects to save more than $1 million dollars on energy costs when all five phases of the plan are complete.

“We plan to reflect these cost savings in our market pricing, creating more demand for our products,” stated controller Carol Russell. “The increased demand will allow the company to improve profitability, spurring job creation in the community.” The company has added 16 permanent positions and increased contract labor while retaining the 163 existing positions.

“The primary goal of our industrial grants is to support Maine businesses in their efforts to increase competitiveness by reducing energy expenses,” stated Ian Burnes, a program manager at Efficiency Maine. “Strong businesses mean good jobs for Maine.”

Efficiency Maine is an independent trust that invests in cost-effective projects to reduce energy costs in Maine. For more information about business programs offered through Efficiency Maine click here.