Portland seeks vendors to help electrification efforts
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The City of Portland, whose City Hall is shown here, is launching a broad sustainability initiative to reduce the use of fossil fuels citywide.
The City of Portland said Tuesday that it is launching a broad sustainability initiative to promote the use of electricity and reduce the use of fossil fuels citywide, thereby reducing the collective carbon footprint.
A request for proposals seeks energy efficiency providers and solar partners to supply residents and businesses with solar panels at home heating costs at significantly reduced costs. Vendors would partner with the city for an initiative entitled "Electrify Everything!"
Since heating and cooling buildings is responsible for around 60% of carbon emissions in Portland and emissions from vehicles represent another 30%, empowering individuals to take action is vital to the success of One Climate Future, the climate action plan passed by the Portland City Council in 2018. according to Tuesday's news release.
"Many people are interested in energy efficiency and renewable energy but do not know how to get started," said City Manager Jon Jennings. "Electrify Everything! will make it easier and more affordable for residents and businesses to cut energy costs and embrace innovative, climate-friendly solutions.”
Electrify Everything! aims to build on the success of weatherize and solarize campaigns nationwide, in which in participants pool their buying power to reduce the cost of equipment such as solar panels and air source heat pumps.
Martin Grohman, executive director of the Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine, or E2Tech, welcomed the city's initiative and its potential significance for members of his organization.
"The city’s RFP initiative should appeal to E2Tech member businesses and consultants who are working on beneficial electrification efforts across the state — members who are working on electrical heating and transportation options, on renewable energy generation to provide the needed electrons, and on energy efficiency to be sure those electrons are used wisely," he told Mainebiz via email.
More information
Companies interested in submitting a proposal are encouraged to contact the City of Portland Purchasing Office at purchasing@portlandmaine.gov for more information about the RFP.
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