The Town of Cranberry Isles passed a series of articles at its annual Town Meeting on March 10 to promote a groundbreaking environmental agenda, pledging to sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement; spend up to $10,000 to promote and support energy efficiency projects; and purchase electrical power for municipal needs from a renewable energy provider.
All 36 articles on the 2008 warrant were passed at the meeting, held at the Islesford Neighborhood House on Little Cranberry Island. In addition to the articles related to energy, voters endorsed the establishment of a transportation committee; elected new officers and committee members (including Dan Lief for a second three-year term as selectman) appropriated funds for schools; authorized capital improvements to the Great Cranberry Island municipal pier; and approved a total budget of $1,952,984.
Lief signed the U.S. Mayors Agreement, establishing the Town as the 811th municipality to do so — one of the smallest participating communities thus far. “This is a far-reaching commitment — we will do whatever we can to slow down global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” he said. “We will also work as a community to deal with hardships resulting from $100-a-barrel oil. Ultimately, the goal will be some degree of energy independence with on-island generation from renewable sources. In the short run, we are looking at much simpler solutions, ways in which we can all save money and reduce our negative impact on the environment.”
The U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement aims to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol emission reduction targets. The agreement has been signed by 810 municipalities nationwide, representing over a quarter of the U.S. population.
A second unanimous vote authorized the Selectmen to spend up to $10,000 to promote and support community projects that reduce negative environmental impact and increase stewardship. One critical project, which will require some funding, is an energy feasibility study. This study will explore the best ways to utilize local renewable resource potential as a community.
Another article allows the Town to spend up to $2,000 to source Clean Energy for all of its municipal electricity needs. This power will cost approximately 2 cents more per kilowatt-hour than the current energy supplied. “The Town’s decision to purchase energy from Maine Renewable Energy — Clean Power’ will, it is hoped, set an example for residents purchasing power for their homes. For a small premium Mainers can buy electricity that is 100 percent renewable, 100 percent emission free — and 100 percent produced in Maine,” emphasized Lief.