Wright-Ryan STEP-Up

August 4th, companies from around the State of Maine gathered to discuss their progress within the STEP-Up program sponsored by the Department of Environmental Protection.  Wright-Ryan will be entering into the last quarter of our commitment with the DEP and fully expect to meet or exceed the goals we set for ourselves in 2006.  Andy Seymour represented WR at the meeting.  All employees can expect to see a full summary report of our STEP-Up successes later this year.
Here are some of the results from our fellow STEP-Up participants:
National Semiconductor continues to help environmental efforts at Longcreek in South Portland.  They recently removed an entire parking lot and replaced it with a bio-filtration rain garden. 
Bath Iron Works exceeded their solid waste reduction goal by 6% and their hazardous waste reduction goal by an impressive 11%.  Unfortunately, they are struggling to find ways to reduce their energy consumption and achieved a 2% reduction in comparison to a lofty goal of 8%.
Lyman Morse Boat Builders have switched their fuel source to soybean based bio-diesel fuels provided by Rockport-based Harvest Fuels.  They pay a 3 cent increase but the employees prefer it and productivity has increased overall.  They are exceeding their waste reduction, energy reduction, and hazardous waste reduction goals.  They also branched out of their typical business plan and invested in the creation of the “Power Cube” which is a solar generator producing 600-1200 watts of electricity.  Once perfected, could this be our power source at jobsites??
After presentations from the companies and DEP department officials, the group of 25 toured the new USM Wishcamper Center with Mike Barton.  The group was impressed with the geothermal system and many other features in the new building. 

Wright-Ryan recognized at 2008 Governor's Carbon Challenge

On Monday, March 17th Wright-Ryan Construction was recognized at the 2008 Governor's Carbon Challenge , for it's efforts in reducing greenhouse gases. W-R was 1 of 20 companies, organizations and institutions honored for the continued effort to reduce engergy costs and lower carbon emissions.

Meeting with the DEP

Yesterday was our first time meeting with the Maine DEP and other participants of the STEP-UP Program.  We had signed our contract with the Governor last December but began our record keeping the first day of January 2006. 

Luckily we only had to give an introduction to our company and the environmental commitments we made in our contract.  The other companies have made real significant progress in going beyond environmental regulations.  I will say that when our time comes to give our report, I think we will shine because we are doing some exciting, progressive, and innovative things in the industry of construction and how it relates to the world. 

Incorporating these sustainability commitments into our culture makes working for WR that much more meaningful.  I think the best way to clarify this statement is to quote Ray Anderson from his book Mid-Course Correction.  "Abraham Maslow, describing the hierarchy of human needs, says a higher cause is important, and I agree.  After compensation to meet their needs, according to Maslow, people want the opportunity to develop and grow personally and professionally.  When compensation is sufficient and growth opportunity is satisfied, people want to work for a company that makes a difference, that serves a higher cause."

Stay tuned for our public STEP-UP progress reports!