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Northeast Corporations for Climate Action 2005

Participants from four states and the UK gathered in Maine in early October at CA-CP’s annual business program forum, to learn more about regional efforts to control carbon pollution, the federal Energy Act and bottom line-boosting climate action by leading businesses.

At the fourth annual Northeast Corporations for Climate Action forum, Maine DEP Commissioner Dawn Gallagher gave the crowd of more than 30 a briefing on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), predicting that thanks to the groundwork being laid by this developing Northeast cap-and-trade program, “firms that take early action through voluntary program may find themselves in a position to reap benefits from reducing their carbon footprints.”

Susan Tierney, CA-CP Chair and member of the National Commission on Energy Policy, offered an eye-opening presentation on the regional and national energy outlook, specifically focusing on the new 2005 Energy Policy Act. The legislation offers some incentives for innovative and climate-friendly energy choices, but fails to press for higher fuel economy standards, or provide long-term support for renewable fuels.

Left to right : CA-CP's Bob Sheppard and Mark Toussaint of NH WasteCap chat; Susan Tierney shares energy insights; speakers from Staples and Fairchild Semiconductor share bottom line- and climate-friendly strategies; and forum-goers take it all in.

Mark Buckley, Vice President of Environmental Affairs at Staples, gave details on Staples' commitment to reduce its carbon emissions by 7% by 2010, with 2000 as a baseline. The office product retailer is pursuing energy efficiency at the store and distribution center level; purchasing 10% of its U.S. power from renewable sources (including green tags, and solar energy generated from panels placed on their own rooftops); and exploring the use of diesel-electric hybrid delivery vehicles.

Joel Rouillard and Chris Dillman from the Environmental Management team at Fairchild Semiconductor, the forum's host, shared that because of the instability of energy prices over the last three months, some projects that previously failed to meet corporate Return On Investment requirements are now being revisited.  The South Portland- based company has been involved in a number of voluntary agreements with the state and federal government since 2001, and is currently evaluating capital improvements with an eye toward the carbon impact of those financial decisions.

The Northeast Corporations for Climate Action is an annual event that since 2002 has brought together more than 125 representatives of the region’s leading businesses for briefings on climate issues and presentations on corporate best practices, and has provided valuable peer-to-peer networking opportunities. For more information please contact Bob Sheppard at bsheppard@cleanair-coolplanet.org.