Federal Clean Energy and Climate Funding
In 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The legislation is a significant investment that is directing billions of dollars in funding administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to accelerate the clean energy transition. The funding aims to improve energy resilience and mitigate climate risk, invest in modernized grid infrastructure and clean energy solutions, and create good-paying jobs.
In 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), legislation that directs nearly $370 billion to climate change related programs aimed at accelerating the deployment of clean energy technologies, reducing emissions, lowering energy prices, and building the resiliency of our energy system. This law, through both the creation of new programs and the extension of existing programs, will provide substantial opportunities to expand clean energy manufacturing, distributed generation, building modernization, and energy efficiency in Maine and across the country.
Federal Funding Programs
The section below features federal grants supported by BIL and IRA that GEO has applied for, received, and/or supported.
- Grid Resilience Grant Program
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The federally funded Maine Grid Resilience Grant Program seeks to increase the resilience of the electric grid and Maine communities while increasing clean energy workforce opportunities and aligning with ongoing electric grid modernization and state climate goals. In 2024, Governor Mills announced $6.6 million in grant awards to six Maine utilities and technology providers to deploy electrical grid resilience projects in Maine communities. Learn more about the program here.
- Home Energy Rebates
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In 2024, Governor Janet Mills announced the launch of Maine's Home Energy Rebate Program. The program is funded by a $36 million federal grant supported by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and will help eligible households save money on energy bills, upgrade to clean energy equipment, improve energy efficiency in their homes, and reduce air pollution. Learn more about the program here.
- Solar for All
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In 2024, the U.S. EPA selected Maine’s application for a $62 million grant award to provide financial and technical assistance enabling low-income and disadvantaged households across the state to access solar and energy storage. This award will also support workforce development opportunities ensuring quality clean energy jobs for disadvantaged communities. Learn more about Maine's award here.
- Preparing Workers and Businesses to Deliver Energy Efficiency and Building Electrification Measures
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GEO submitted a response to an RFI in January 2023, linked here (PDF). See individual program descriptions below.
Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants
In December 2024, the Maine Governor's Energy Office (GEO) was approved for a $1.3 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy to administer a workforce development program to grow Maine’s energy efficiency workforce. Funding through this program is not yet available. GEO is working to make funding available as soon as possible and anticipates issuing a Request for Applications (RFA) in mid-2025. Visit this page for more information.
Energy Auditor Training
The Energy Auditor Training Grant Program is designed to provide a total of $40 million in grants, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to eligible States to train individuals to conduct energy audits or surveys of commercial and residential buildings to build the clean energy workforce, save customers money on their energy bills, and reduce pollution from building energy use.