BY MORNING SENTINEL STAFF

UNITY-- In a deal announced on Earth Day, Unity College will purchase carbon-emission reductions derived from MaineHousing's energy-efficiency programs.

"This is a winning situation for everyone," MaineHousing Director Dale McCormick said Tuesday. "It creates funds for more energy-efficient affordable housing; it contributes to further reductions in carbon emissions; and it extends the benefits of the carbon market to low-income people."

Unity College, which produces roughly 1,023 tons of carbon emissions each year, will purchase at least 250 tons of carbon offsets each year of the five-year contract, said Rob Constantine, vice president for College Advancement.

Both Unity College and MaineHousing participate in the state's Governor's Challenge Program and were recently recognized for their achievement. Unity College also was one of the first schools to sign the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, which require the college to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Unity hopes to reduce its emissions by 60 percent by 2010 and to zero in 2015, Constantine said.

The school primarily hopes to meet the standards through efficiency in new construction--a new President's cottage slated for delivery later this year will produce more energy than it uses--and upgrades to existing buildings, but offsets will be used to counter emissions produced by employees' travel.

"Environmentalism often is seen in abstract terms, with carbon-credit dollars going to benefit environmental projects in foreign countries," Constantine said. "Keeping carbon-credit dollars within the state of Maine to benefit local communities is precisely the kind of real world environmentalism that is a part of the Unity College approach."

MaineHousing provides funding for affordable homes and apartments for Maine's low- and moderate-income households.

Craig Crosby--487-3288

ccrosby@centralmaine.com