Climate Action

Committed to Sustainability
Climate Action Plan Cover

Falmouth has completed its Climate Action Plan! 

The Falmouth Town Council recently approved a resolution to adopt the Climate Action Plan (CAP).  The Town can now move forward on working to implement strategies laid out in the plan. 

Town staff and the Climate Action Planning Committee worked with the Greater Portland Council of Governments for close to two years on the plan. This plan aligns with the State of Maine’s Climate Action Plan called “Maine Won’t Wait” and charts a course towards becoming more resilient to the effects of climate change while also taking action to reduce the Town’s greenhouse gas emissions. Successful implementation of this plan will rely on collaborative efforts between many entities beyond the Town, including state and federal government, local organizations, businesses, and individual community members. Resident engagement will be critical moving forward. Find the Climate Action Plan here.

History of Sustainability in Falmouth

In 2007, the Town of Falmouth signed the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement, which recognized a voluntary commitment of reducing town greenhouse gas emissions within municipal operations. During that time, the ad hoc Green Ribbon Commission was established and tasked to prepare an emissions inventory and offer recommendations on ways to lower emissions within the town. The 27 recommendations in the Climate Action Plan were accepted by the Town Council in 2010, including a commitment to reduce energy use along with by a 2% annual greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal. The ideas and findings from the Commission have strongly influenced Town planning, and many were incorporated into the most recently updated 2013 Comprehensive Plan. In fall 2023, Falmouth completed its Climate Action Plan. 

Climate Action Reports

2023 Falmouth Climate Action Plan (CAP)

2010 Energy and Climate Protection Report ("Green Ribbon" Report)

2018 Municipal and School Department Energy and Sustainability Plan

Climate Action Planning Committee Kickoff 

Climate Action Planning Committee Presentation to Town Council 09.27.21

Community Vulnerability Workshop minutes 03.09.22

Climate Action Plan Council Update 2.14.22

Climate Action Plan Council Update 4.12.22

History of Falmouth's Progress Toward Sustainability

2021

Sustainable Business Recognition Program adopted by Town Council on February 8, 2021

 

Resolution to update Falmouth Climate Action Plan and complete Vulnerability Assessment in partnership with GPCOG approved by Town Council on April 12, 2021

 

Town leased three all-electric Hyundais for Planning, Police, and Fire Department use. Leases are no cost to the Town due to manufacturer, state and federal rebates

 Earth Day Community Cleanups completed at River Point Conservation Area and along the Route 1 Commercial Corridor
 

Boy and Girl Scout troops completed community cleanups at Walton Park and Legion Field

 

Maine Arbor Week celebrations included Black Cherry tree planting at River Point Conservation Area and a TREEmendous Scavenger Hunt

 

Became official partner of the Maine Healthy Beaches Program - testing water quality at Town Landing Beach on a weekly basis throughout the summer

2020

Falmouth Pesticide and Fetilizer Use Ordinance adopted by Town Council on March 9, 2020

 

Living Lawns pesticide and fertilizer educational campaign launched

 

Tangent Energy landfill solar array Power Purchase Agreement approved by Town Council on May 27, 2020. The will solar aray will power ~70% of municipal operations with renewable energy and will save ~$2 million over 20 year lifespan

 

Installed Village Park food waste kiosk - completing the third and final food waste kiosk location and diverting thousands of pounds of food waste of the landfill

 

Highland Lake Education and Outreach Plan to support the 10-year Watershed-Based Management Plan developed 

2019

5th Annual Home Energy Fair

 

Falmouth received Tree City USA designation; Celebrated Falmouth’s first annual Arbor Day April 27th

 

Recycling contamination tagging and education summer intern program completed

 

Eliminated plastic straws across the entire school campus through partnership with 5th grade students

 

2020-2030 Highland Lake Watershed-Based Management Plan to restore and protect Highland Lake water quality adopted by Town Council on June 22, 2020

 

Conservation Commission educated citizens about the ecological threats caused by invasive plants and the need for their removal through multiple public events.

 

Annual treatment of invasive terrestrial plants on high priority Town roadsides and Town land completed in September.

 

Awarded Highland Lake Leadership Team (HLLT) two $10,000 grants for Highland Lake remediation projects and to help fund the extensive water testing program needed to determine the cause of the picocyanobacterial bloom.

 

HLLT held public forum on status of Highland Lake bloom study and a Buffer Blitz Workshop

 

REAC held the second “National Drive Electric Event” with the Towns of Cumberland and Yarmouth

 

Partnered with Cumberland for 3rd annual WindowDressers event

 

Installed Community Park food waste kiosk 

 

Implemented "Recycle Right" pledge as follow-up to recycling internship program

2018

Held a waste station at FalmouthFest, part of Falmouth300 celebration. Diverted all but 2 ½ bags of trash to be composted or recycled; event was attended by roughly 1,000 people

 

Hosted “Follow the Flow: Where does water go?” presentation by the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District

 

Town Building interior LED lighting conversion

 

Municipal and School Department Energy and Sustainability Plan adopted by Town Council on November 22, 2018

 

Awarded a $7,500 grant from Maine DEP to expand the food waste drop off program

 

Conservation Commission hosted multiple public events throughout the year on proper pesticide and fertilizer use and application

 

Conservation Commission educated citizens about the ecological threats caused by invasive plants and the need for their removal through multiple public events

 

 “Position Statement on the Use of Herbicides to Control Invasive Terrestrial Plants on Town Properties” developed

 

Annual treatment of invasive terrestrial plants on high priority Town roadsides and Town land completed in September

 

Developed Invasive Management Plan

 

HLLT hosted public forum on water quality best practices

 

Highland Lake Watershed Survey completed on May 19, 2018

 

HLLT hosted workshop on private gravel road maintenance for Highland Lake road associations

 

Partnered with Cumberland for 2nd annual WindowDressers event

 

REAC held “National Drive Electric Event” in partnership with the Towns of Cumberland and Yarmouth  in September

2017

Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Town and held the first Business Energy Fair at the OceanView community

 

Falmouth participated in a regional residential bulk purchasing effort,

Casco Bay Heat Pump Challenge. Also partnered with WindowDressers and built 100+ custom window inserts for Falmouth residents

2016-2018

Falmouth hired RealTerm Energy to assist in conversion of streetlights to LEDs. The Town purchased streetlight assets from CMP, installed, and now owns and maintains approximately 600 streetlights

2016

Town purchased all-electric Nissan LEAF

 

School department received grant for water bottle filling station

 

Schools received rebates from Efficiency Maine for LED lighting upgrades

 

Town Hall employees began composting food scraps on site. Falmouth food pantry also began composting with third party  

 

Food waste drop off program began for residents at the Transfer Station

 

Falmouth adopted a single-use shopping bag ordinance with a five-cent fee on paper and plastic bags for stores >10,000 sq. feet

2015-2017

Municipal Energy Group (formally called Municipal Streetlight Group) joined stakeholder process in developing state solar policy changes

 

Falmouth Schools partner with SIEMENS; energy teams formed at Elementary and Middle Schools

2015

Waste Water Department converted all operations from oil to natural gas

 

Full time Energy and Sustainability Coordinator hired. Reports to Town Manager, works with all departments, as well as acts as staff support to REAC and Conservation Commission

2014-2015

Energy assessment and energy improvements conducted at renovated Mason-Motz Activity Center

 

Town Hall (original building dates to 1909) renovated; energy improvements incorporated 

 

Falmouth received $3,000 in rebates through Efficiency Maine’s lighting program for LED pedestrian lights on Route 1

2014

Falmouth hosts first annual Home Energy Fair that was attended by roughly 300 people. Model has been adopted in many Maine municipalities, such as: Portland, South Portland, Gorham, Saco and Brunswick (See appendix V for Logic Model)

2013

Falmouth engaged in regional municipal energy working group (Municipal Streetlight Group) for third and final attempt to change state streetlight laws

2010-2011

Elementary, Middle and High Schools’ entire domestic heat and hot water is being supplied through onsite biomass boilers

2009

Solar photovoltaics installed on High School—supplying 1/3 of electricity for the building

2008

Walk through building audits were conducted on many town buildings and several improvements were implemented

 

Propane replaced heating oil for Town Hall and Public Works

 

All fire stations converted from oil to propane; solar hot water was also installed

 

LEED certified new Police Department opened

 

Town purchased two Toyota Prius automobiles. Biodiesel also integrated into vehicle fleet

2007-2010

Signing of U.S. Mayor’s Agreement and the formation of the ad hoc Green Ribbon Commission. Final report presented and adopted 2010

2007

Waste Water treatment plant conducted major electrical upgrades which has reduced their electricity consumption substantially; completed in 2008

 

LEED Certified Elementary School opened, which features a geothermal heating and cooling system, rainwater collection and green roofs