Energy (Energy Efficiency)

signed · Maine · House Apr 15, 2026

LD 2220: An Act To Establish The Maine Home Energy Navigator And Coaching Resource Hub

This bill establishes the Maine Home Energy Navigator and Coaching Resource Hub within the Department of Energy Resources to promote community-based energy coaching services for residential consumers. The hub is designed to help residents, particularly those in low-income, rural, and underserved communities, understand and navigate options for home energy efficiency and clean energy investments. It requires the department to provide standardized training curricula and program materials that local communities can use to implement their own coaching programs. To support this initiative, the bill appropriates a one-time sum of $100,000 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2026-27.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes a hub to promote home energy efficiency and clean energy investments for residential consumers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 13, 2026

LD 2140: An Act To Reduce Household Energy Costs In Response To Federal Cuts

This bill creates a refundable state tax credit for Maine residents who make energy-efficient improvements to their permanent homes. The credit covers costs for home energy audits, exterior doors, windows, skylights, insulation, and air sealing materials, with specific dollar limits for each improvement type. The amount of the credit is reduced if a taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds certain thresholds based on their filing status. This legislation aims to help households offset energy expenses by incentivizing upgrades that improve home energy efficiency.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides refundable tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements, offering tax relief to households and promoting fiscal responsibility through energy conservation incentives.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates refundable tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements, directly supporting energy conservation and efficiency.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes energy efficiency through tax credits for home improvements, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Energy Efficiency

failed · Maine · House May 20, 2025

LD 1693: An Act To Establish A Sustainable Housing Development Prison Work Program

LD 1693 establishes a Maine prison work program where incarcerated individuals learn sustainable construction skills, including green building techniques and renewable energy installation. Participants must meet eligibility criteria reflecting facility demographics and complete training to qualify for a sentence reduction of one day for every 40 hours worked (capped at 25% of their original sentence). Homes built through the program must meet Maine’s energy efficiency standards, use at least 50% renewable energy, prioritize Maine-sourced materials, and be owned by the state. The bill creates a dedicated fund for program costs and proposes a tax credit for donors of materials or services to support the initiative.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides rehabilitation through sustainable construction training; offers sentence reduction (up to 25%) for program completion, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly trains inmates in renewable energy installation and mandates homes built meet energy efficiency standards, directly advancing renewable energy use and efficiency.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes prison work program to build sustainable homes meeting Maine's energy standards, directly advancing housing development through new construction and green building standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Property Development

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signed · Maine · Senate Apr 25, 2025

LD 585: An Act To Use Certain Regional Transmission Organization Payments For Beneficial Electrification To Reduce Electricity Rates

LD 585 amends Maine law to allow the use of certain payments from regional transmission organizations for both heat pumps and electric vehicles as part of energy efficiency programs. The bill removes a previous time limit (2019-2025) that restricted these funds to heat pumps only and requires that such payments support cost-effective measures that reliably reduce electricity rates over time. This change directly affects the Maine Energy Efficiency Board, which manages the Heating Fuels Efficiency and Weatherization Fund, and benefits residents and businesses by expanding eligibility for energy efficiency incentives. The bill updates existing language to ensure these funds promote broader "beneficial electrification" while maintaining the requirement to lower electricity costs.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands RTO payments for heat pumps/EVs to reduce rates via electrification, directly advancing renewable energy adoption and energy efficiency programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 996: An Act To Create The Weatherization Plus Program And Weatherization Plus Fund

This bill creates Maine's Weatherization Plus Program and a dedicated fund to provide financial assistance to eligible low-income households for home energy efficiency improvements. The program offers grants of up to $20,000 to help households cover weatherization readiness (preparing homes for energy upgrades) and full weatherization projects, such as sealing leaks or adding insulation. It requires applicants to meet federal income thresholds, live in qualifying housing, and demonstrate plans for full weatherization after readiness work, with $2 million allocated from the General Fund for the program in fiscal year 2025-26.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated state fund to allocate $20k grants for low-income energy efficiency, directly funding public assistance program through state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProvides grants for home energy efficiency upgrades (sealing leaks, insulation), directly advancing energy conservation and reducing household energy consumption.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds energy efficiency upgrades for low-income housing, reducing long-term costs and advancing affordable housing access through dedicated grants.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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signed · Maine · House Jun 22, 2025

LD 1471: An Act To Require Energy Efficiency Disclosure Statements And Energy Efficiency Standards For Certain Rental Housing In The State

This bill requires landlords in Maine to provide tenants with energy efficiency disclosure statements starting January 1, 2030, detailing a rental unit’s energy performance. Beginning January 1, 2035, landlords must meet minimum insulation standards for rental units, with tenants able to terminate leases or receive 50% of monthly heating costs (if they pay for heat) until standards are met. Exemptions apply to owner-occupied buildings with three or fewer units, short-term rentals under 30 days, and units rented less than two years in a five-year period. The law also prohibits landlords from retaining security deposits for lease terminations due to non-compliance and protects tenants from retaliation if they assert these rights.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates energy efficiency standards and insulation for rental housing, directly promoting reduced energy waste and improved building performance per bill's requirements.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates energy efficiency standards and tenant protections (50% heating cost refund/lease termination) for rental housing, reducing long-term costs and strengthening tenant rights in housing policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Homeownership Renters Tenant Rights

failed · Maine · House Jun 3, 2025

LD 741: An Act To Increase Preparedness For Solar Power Adoption In Maine

LD 741 requires Maine's Technical Building Codes and Standards Board to update the state's building code to include solar energy standards from Appendix CB of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code for all new commercial buildings. This affects developers and builders constructing new commercial properties after the effective date. The bill exempts buildings that already secured all permits before July 1, 2026, and any projects receiving funding from the Maine State Housing Authority. The key change ensures new commercial construction incorporates solar-ready infrastructure from the start, without mandating solar panel installation.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates solar energy standards in commercial building codes to advance renewable adoption, directly promoting solar infrastructure compliance for new developments.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires solar energy standards in new commercial buildings, promoting clean energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel reliance per bill's mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Solar

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signed · Maine · House Jun 9, 2025

LD 186: An Act To Clarify The Public Utilities Commission'S Authority To Establish Time-Of-Use Pricing For Standard-Offer Service

LD 186 clarifies that Maine's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) can implement time-of-use pricing for standard-offer electricity service, which means electricity rates would vary based on when customers use power (e.g., lower rates overnight, higher rates during peak hours). This directly affects residential and small commercial electricity customers in Maine who receive standard-offer service. The bill amends state law to explicitly include time-of-use pricing as an option under the PUC's authority to incorporate cost-effective demand response and energy efficiency into standard-offer service. It does not create new pricing but clarifies existing regulatory authority for the PUC to use this mechanism.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEnables time-of-use pricing to manage demand, promoting energy efficiency by incentivizing off-peak usage and reducing grid strain during peak hours.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Utility Regulation

signed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 1967: Resolve, To Establish The Maine Home Energy Navigator And Coaching Pilot Program

This bill establishes a two-year pilot program to provide free energy efficiency coaching for residential homeowners in Maine, with a focus on low-income and underserved communities. The program will train certified professionals to conduct home energy assessments, offer independent reviews of contractor recommendations, and guide homeowners on accessing grants, rebates, and energy-saving upgrades. Administered by the Maine Office of Community Affairs, it will partner with community organizations and tribal governments to expand access to energy assistance programs. The pilot requires a 2027 report tracking participants, energy savings, costs, and recommendations for potential statewide expansion.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes free energy efficiency coaching program targeting low-income households, directly advancing energy conservation through assessments and access to rebates.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes energy conservation via free home efficiency coaching, reducing energy use and emissions through targeted upgrades for low-income households.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 826: An Act To Authorize A General Fund Bond Issue To Establish The School Energy Savings Revolving Loan Fund

LD 826 authorizes a $10 million bond issue to create the School Energy Savings Revolving Loan Fund, which requires voter approval via referendum. The fund, administered by the Department of Education, provides low-interest loans (ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000) to Maine school districts for energy efficiency projects like equipment upgrades, insulation, and building envelope improvements. Repaid loans replenish the fund, creating a revolving resource for future school energy investments. The bonds must be issued within 5 years of voter approval, with unused funds lapsing after 10 years to retire other state debt. This bill directly affects public school districts seeking to reduce energy costs through infrastructure improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $10M bond for revolving loan fund (repaid loans replenish fund), promoting fiscal responsibility for school energy projects without new taxes.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides low-interest loans for school energy efficiency projects (equipment, insulation, building improvements), directly enhancing school infrastructure per education topic description.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAuthorizes $10M bond for school energy efficiency loans, funding equipment upgrades and insulation to reduce energy use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Energy Efficiency

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