Home : About Us : Green Initiatives : Carbon Quantification Project
MaineHousing is leading the effort in developing a methodology to measure, monitor, verify, aggregate and sell avoided carbon emissions from energy efficiency programs and projects run by housing agencies. Selling avoided carbon emissions will create a new revenue stream that can be used to expand residential energy efficiency programs.
In collaboration with the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, the New Jersey Home and Mortgage Finance Agency, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and with funding from the Ford Foundation, we are working on a sustainable model that can be replicated by other agencies across the U.S.
As required by international carbon standards, the emission reductions will be real, surplus, permanent, verified, registered and aggregated for sale.
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Homes generate 22% of the Nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Energy efficiency in buildings will directly benefit the inhabitants, improve housing, lower energy bills and reduce climate change.
Because energy efficient housing is affordable housing, MaineHousing is funding energy efficiency improvements in both single family and multi family housing and requiring that new construction funded by MaineHousing comply with green building standards. We are developing a method for measuring avoided carbon emissions from:
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Home energy efficiency. The most common home weatherization measures are adding insulation and air sealing. On average, weatherizing one home results in a 20% energy savings and a 2 ton reduction in carbon emissions per year. |
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Solar hot water. We are financing solar hot water in multifamily housing and are using the anticipated revenue from the sale of the carbon emission reductions to subsidize the lower interest rate of the solar loan. Using the sun to heat the domestic hot water avoids carbon emissions by replacing the fuel source. |
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The Project will create a Guidance Document describing the basic elements required for any HFA to participate, including:
- Model contracts and contract language for ownership of reductions
- One or more methodologies for quantifying the avoided carbon emissions
- A list of accredited third party verifiers who ensure that the emission reductions are real
- Registering, tracking, aggregating and selling avoided carbon emissions
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For more information contact:
| Carbon Project Manager |
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Email Me |
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(207) 626-4601 |