Maine Forest Service Information Related to the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Public Building Wood-to-Energy Program
Welcome to Maine Department of Conservation, Maine Forest Service web page dedicated to The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is an effort to jumpstart the economy, create and save jobs, and prepare for a better future.
The Maine Forest Service received $11.4 million in competitive grant ARRA funds from the USDA Forest Service, State & Private Forestry Division for the purposes of assisting public facilities with the installation of wood-to-energy systems. The Maine Forest Service has created the Wood-to-Energy Public Building Program for the purposes of distributing the funds to Maine public facilities.
These are one-time funds, and will be spent or committed within two years. The short-term goals for this program are to create and retain jobs in Maine, to achieve energy savings through wood-to-energy installations, reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support sustainable forestry.
The Request for Applications is now available! Click here to download the RFA or grant application materials.
“Maine is a recognized leader in renewable energy, and this significant grant will help us expand that sector of our economy. Not only will it create new, green-technology jobs in Maine, but it also will showcase our forest-products and wood-energy industries, improve our forests, diversify existing forest-product markets and help make Maine less dependent on foreign oil,”
- Governor John E. Baldacci
“Many of Maine’s energy issues can be solved within the 17 million acres of Maine forest, which are growing better than at any time in over a half century, Maine is the most heavily forested state in America, and when the Governor and the President speak of green jobs and a green economy, this grant will help continue our Maine’s green-job expansion. It is a great start, and I am delighted.”
- Maine Department of Conservation Commissioner Patrick McGowan
This website is continually being updated so visit it often for the latest information on this grant.
For more information about this grant, contact Mackenzi Keliher, Maine Department of Conservation, at (207) 287-4909 or submit contact information, comments or questions here.
