Maine Behavioral Healthcare’s World Class Autism Center Goes Green

Contact: Val Campagna, 207-661-6633, Valerie.compagna@mainehealth.org

Portland, Maine – Maine Behavioral Healthcare’s Glickman Lauder Center of Excellence in Autism and Developmental Disorders (GLCOE) announces it has taken a significant step toward environmental sustainability by harnessing power from the sun.

An array of shiny new solar panels now grace the roof of the 28,000 square-foot facility that opened in August 2021. The GLCOE was specially built to reduce heat transfer and uses a high-efficiency electric heat pump system. Since their installation, the solar panels have reduced energy costs for the facility by approximately 30%. The panels have also reduced 13,329+ pounds of CO2 emission, which is equivalent to planting more than 100 trees, and those numbers are rising every day.

Dr. Matthew Siegel, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Developmental Disorders Service Line at Maine Behavioral Healthcare is proud of the GLCOE for taking this step toward renewable energy.

“Our sustainability efforts reflect the care taken during the five-year planning process to bring our vision to life,” said Dr. Siegel. “The inclusion of solar panels would not have been possible without the encouragement and support of our donors, Board members, and MBH and MaineHealth leadership who recognized the importance of building an eco-friendly facility.”

The implementation of solar panels at the GLCOE directly supports parent organization ’s commitment to environmental stability throughout its service area. The organization aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 25% by 2027 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

The GLCOE includes child and adult outpatient clinics; preschool and early intervention in-home services; and child day treatment, paired with clinical research and provider training. Learn more about the Center at MaineBehavioralHealthcare.org/coe.

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About Maine Behavioral Healthcare
As part of the MaineHealth system, Maine Behavioral Healthcare (MBH) is a not-for-profit organization serving more than 20,000 children, adolescents and adults at over 30 locations throughout southern, western, and mid-coast Maine, providing a continuum of coordinated mental healthcare from outpatient community offices to inpatient acute care at Spring Harbor Hospital. Learn more at www.mainebehavioralhealthcare.org.