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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 19 J U N E 2 4 , 2 0 1 9 E N E R G Y / E N V I RO N M E N T tests throughout construction and use of cellulose insulation. In 2006, Lebel says, he was trying to educate clients about ideas like adding more insula- tion. Now, he says, "Homeowners are coming to us with specifications. e public is much more educated and much more on board." ere's education on the construction side, too. "You want to make sure everyone on your team understands what you're doing," says Jesper Kruse, owner of Maine Passive House in Bethel. "e big thing is air-tightness. You have to go through the steps to make sure you're maintaining the air barrier. en there's all the subcontractors. ey can't just drill a hole willy-nilly." Carbon footprint Customers seeking lower energy costs and lower carbon emissions are driving the sector's growth. e carbon footprint of construc- tion, Lebel explains, includes materials extraction, transportation and process- ing, and energy to run the building. e ultimate goal, he says, is to create "carbon sequestering" buildings. Carbon sequestering components include wood and other plants that absorb carbon while alive. An analysis of the amount of carbon sequestered by buildings is based on the processes that turned the tree into a building component. "at's why we as a company and other people are looking at the whole life cycle of wood," says John Deans, Emerald's sustainability expert. "Wood stores carbon. But if the way the wood is harvested reduces the forest's ability to store carbon, it diminishes the value of that carbon-sequestering material." "We have this amazing opportu- nity in Maine to drive the conversation on sustainability," says Lock, who is also chair of the American Institute of Architects/Maine's committee on the environment. "Maine has a unique and direct relationship with its environment and resources. It costs a lot of money to pay for heat in Maine in the winter. You feel that not just when you walk outside, but in your wallet." Kruse adds: "More and more people are waking up to the fact that climate change is happening and we're going to get screwed and something has to change, and if you decide to build a new house it really ought to be something that's up to par with the reality of the world we live in." Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at lschreiber @ mainebiz.biz When managing your family assets, it's not necessarily the size of the portfolio we care about, it's the story behind it. It's why we get to know you and build a relationship before making any financial decisions. From there, we build your wealth the way you want. Partnering with us means more than money—it's about your values, your family, your story. the numbers we get, your story WE VALUE 207. 482.7920 | NorwaySavings.bank FAMILY ASSET MANAGEMENT I N V E S T M E N T M A N AG E M E N T • T R U S T S E RV I C E S • FI N A N C I A L A DV I C E • E S TAT E P L A N N I N G Not FDIC Insured • No Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value F O C U S Reggie Lebel, owner of Emerald Builders, in an energy efficient home his company is building in Falmouth. The home features additional insulation, triple glazed windows and airtight assembly. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY

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