MaineDOT Clean Ports Planning Project

Project Overview

Welcome to the MaineDOT Clean Ports Planning Project. This statewide effort is funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean Ports Program. This planning project is fully focused on studying the outcomes of potential port electrification at four Maine ports - Portland, Searsport, Eastport, and Rockland - that see both cargo and cruise ship dockings. The project will result in a clear, actionable roadmap for port electrification in each of the four port communities. Stay informed as the project progresses, including upcoming meetings for public input.

Scope of Work

The project will assess current and future emissions at four Maine ports and identify practical strategies to reduce pollution, convert port and shore equipment and infrastructure to electric power, and supply clean, reliable power to these ports’ operations. 
The project will engage communities and explore how port electrification may shape Maine’s future workforce.

Project updates

2026

Fall

Stakeholder engagement is wrapping up this fall, and we will begin holding public meetings to discuss the project at each of the four ports being analyzed for the study. The project team is also finishing up data collection at each port and is underway with the emissions inventories for those sites. The upcoming public meeting information is available for those who would like to attend.

Portland

Wednesday, October 14
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
International Marine Terminal
460 Commercial Street
Portland, ME 04101

Searsport

Wednesday, October 21
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Searsport Town Hall
1 Union Street
Searsport, ME 04974

Statewide

Tuesday December 1
5:30-7:30
Location TBD
Augusta, ME 04330

Eastport

Tuesday, October 20
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Eastport Port Authority
141 Water Street
Eastport, ME 04631

Rockland

Thursday, October 22
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Rockland City Hall
270 Pleasant Street
Rockland, ME 04841

Summer

Stakeholder engagement is underway. Meetings and site visits were held in Spring 2026 in Portland, Eastport, Rockland, and Searsport to assess existing needs and infrastructure, and to explore how port electrification may shape Maine’s future workforce. Stakeholders provided valuable feedback that will help inform how shore power and port electrification can reduce air pollution and prepare Maine’s ports for a lower emissions future. 

Engagement will continue through Fall 2026, culminating with public engagement in the port communities. 

• Portland Stakeholder Meeting Presentation (PDF)

• Eastport Stakeholder Meeting Presentation (PDF)

• Rockland Stakeholder Meeting Presentation (PDF)

• Searsport Stakeholder Meeting Presentation (PDF)

Progress is also continuing in other areas, including development of initial equipment lists, emissions inventories, and coordination with utilities on grid capacity studies.

Schedule

This schedule is subject to change

2026 - Feasibility study development, workforce planning, stakeholder/community engagement 

• June-August: Continued stakeholder engagement

2027 - Feasibility study development, workforce planning

• November: Final Feasibility Study
• December: Annual update meeting

EPA Clean Ports Grant Program

The Clean Ports Planning Project is funded by a grant from the U.S. EPA Clean Ports Program awarded in late 2024. Learn more about the grant program on the US EPA Clean Ports Program website and access our grant documents on our Clean Ports Program Grants page

Leave a Comment

The project team is currently accepting preliminary comments about the project scope. We encourage you to provide your email address on the Comment Form below so you can receive project updates.