In Maine, the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) used SEP funding to advocate for, develop, and implement nation-leading energy initiatives. In 2019, Governor Janet Mills signed legislation that requires greenhouse gas reductions of 45% by 2030 from 1990 levels and 80% by 2050; an increase in Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard from 40% to 80% by 2030 and a goal of 100% by 2050; the creation of new solar and distributed generation incentives; and the requirement to approve the contract for what is poised to be the first floating offshore wind project in the country. The GEO sits on the board of Efficiency Maine Trust (EMT), the state’s energy efficiency program administrator, and supported EMT’s launch of new programs aimed at installing 100,000 new high efficiency air source heat pumps by 2025; increasing beneficial electrification opportunities; supporting electric vehicle charging infrastructure and new grants for electric vehicle purchases; and advancing efficiency programs that are aimed to save Maine ratepayers more than 6.9 million MMBtu in cost-effective lifetime energy savings. Each of these efforts, from solar to energy efficiency, have specific programmatic requirements for low- and moderate-income participants as well as energy cost reduction. The GEO is also the lead on the newly formed Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Gulf of Maine Task Force aimed at identifying potential lease areas for offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine.
Contact Information for the Maine Energy Office