Green Story

When local massage therapist Sarah Stevens began planning her wedding, she wasn't hoping for traditional wedding day gifts. Instead, Stevens wanted to find a way for her guests -- who were flying in from all over the country -- to donate money to offset the carbon footprint wrought by the travel.

After talking with GA Director Sarah Brown, Stevens was put in touch with Lee Consavage of Seacoast Consulting Engineers (SCE), a Maine-based firm that helps businesses, municipalities and individuals install renewable energy systems. Consavage told Stevens about Renewable Energy Credits (RECs); a sort of direct investment in alternative energy. Individuals who install a renewable solar PVC system, for instance, can register their system with the Better Earth Energy Company (BEECo), a subsidiary of SCE, allowing Consavage to register with New England Power Pool (NEPOOL). At this point the owner of the system can receive credits given by individuals; thereby helping the owner offset the costs of the renewable system.

While a new and exciting aspect of their business, RECs represent just one service provided by SCE. Primarily the firm provides energy engineering advice for any and every kind of energy system – wind, solar, geothermal, wood, tri-generation, co-generation, and more – to individuals, businesses, and municipalities alike...