Caring For The Environment

Caring For The Environment

We are committed to meeting high standards of environmental stewardship in the communities we serve, and to conducting business in a manner that minimizes adverse environmental impacts on present and future generations.  

Sustainable development and respect for the environment guide our strategy and actions. Developing a sustainable energy model supported by lower emissions, greater energy efficiency and preservation of the environment is essential for sustainable development.

To learn more about our actions and commitment to sustainable business practices, visit  Avangrid Sustainability Reports.

 

Environmental Policy

Our actions have an impact on the natural world, our local communities and the economy. The decisions we make now will affect our access to critical resources in the future.

As an AVANGRID company, we adhere to the following policies:

 

Climate Change

Climate change is a serious threat and one of the most significant challenges of the 21st century. Scientific evidence shows that greenhouse gas emissions have accelerated global warming and that action to address climate change must occur. We seek to contribute actively and decisively to a low-carbon and sustainable future, delivering clean, low emission energy, minimizing the environmental impact of our activities and supporting and promoting actions that address climate change. Such efforts must be compatible with social and economic growth.

 

Taking Action

Maine was the first state in the nation to set greenhouse goals (2003). Maine has also set oil usage reduction targets (2011). Maine law now requires the state to reduce emissions 45% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% by 2050.

According to Maine’s 8th Biennial Report1 on progress toward Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals, Maine’s electricity sector reduced CO2 emissions by 50% between 1990 and 2017 and fossil fuel combustion accounted for only 7% of power generation emissions.

CMP has continued to provide safe and reliable delivery of this cleaner power, integrating onto the network newer wind and solar generation resources in combination with maintaining delivery of Maine’s traditional hydropower and biomass renewable resources.

 

Maine CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion by sector 20171

Circle graph of CO2 emissions by sector in percentages: Transportation 54, Residential 19, Commercial 11, Industrial 9.Electric Power 7,

¹Maine’s 8th Biennial Report on progress toward Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals

Transportation accounts for over 50% of Maine’s CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion. We promote actions that seek to reduce this carbon pollution from the transportation sector; learn more about the benefits and why we encourage the adoption of electric vehicles.

Climate change is a national and global challenge - see what Avangrid is doing to fight climate change. More information on our climate change policy can be found here.

 

Managing Reliability and Wildlife

We are committed to providing safe and reliable power delivery to you and we have great concern for wildlife and nesting birds. We train our team on state and federal laws protecting wildlife.

We estimate there are several hundred nests on poles and other equipment throughout our 11,000-square-mile service area. If the nests don’t pose a risk to power reliability or wildlife, they are left alone. When they threaten safety and reliability, we work with various authorities to remove or relocate osprey nests. Like virtually all bird species, osprey are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Act, so we work closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife to comply with these laws.

Our crews often install plastic piping and other deterrents on pole tops to keep the birds from nesting on them. In some cases, crews will build nesting platforms upon which birds can build their new home. Moving osprey nests keeps the birds safe and keeps the power flowing for you.

We have recently initiated an Animal Guard Program in which over 50,000 animal guards are installed and maintained on CMP distribution equipment throughout the State of Maine to protect wildlife and the environment, while also reducing power outages due to animal contact, improving reliability.

 

Clean Electricity Supply

We deliver the electricity you buy from other companies. 

To understand all your electricity supply options visit the Maine Public Utilities website and the Maine Office of the Public Advocate.

Resources

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