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 called Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC) to grow Maine’s energy efficiency workforce. The goals of the program include:
- Increasing the number of new energy efficiency workers
- Provide upskilling opportunities for existing energy efficiency workers
- Preparing contractors for business growth and delivery of home energy rebates
- Expanding training opportunities in underserved communities
Funding through the TREC 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 2025. To learn more and stay up to date on the plan, please sign up for the GEO email newsletter.
Advisory Committee
Maine's TREC program is overseen by an Energy Efficiency Workforce Advisory Committee, including members from industry, labor, support organizations, training and educational institutions, and state government. Committee members are listed below:
- Energy Efficiency Workforce Advisory Committee Members
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- Colin McCullough (All Around Home Performance)
- Chad Ellis (CCB, Inc)
- Tim Adams (EcoHeat Maine)
- Richard Burbank (Evergreen Home Performance)
- Kristie Green (Horizon Homes)
- Paul Laird (Laird's HVAC)
- Scott Libby (Royal River Heat Pumps)
- Josh Oxley (SolarLogix)
- Francis Eanes (Maine Labor Climate Council)
- Jennifer Giosia (Penquis CAP)
- Donna Kelley (Waldo CAP)
- Jackie Parisi (York County Community Action)
- Bridget Gifford (Efficiency Maine)
- Daniel Estes (Maine Department of Labor)
- DeAnna Trask (MaineHousing)
- Kelly Flagg (Associated General Contractors of Maine)
- Chris Winstead (Maine Community College System)
- Megan Dichter (Maine Department of Education)
- John Leavitt (North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters)
- Derek Armstrong (UA Local 716 Maine Plumbers and Pipefitters)
Meeting Archive
- January 10, 2024: Draft Program Framework Meeting
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On January 10, 2024, GEO hosted a public meeting to present information regarding Maine’s application and solicit stakeholder feedback. View the meeting slides here.
- May 6, 2025: Program Kickoff Meeting
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On May 6, 2025, GEO convened a meeting of the Energy Efficiency Workforce Advisory Committee to kick off the TREC program. View the meeting slides here.
Background
In 2024, GEO applied for a $1.3 million federal grant available through the Inflation Reduction Act to develop a statewide contractor training program. Maine’s application was informed by stakeholder feedback to help determine best uses of the funds based on federal regulations and guidelines as well as existing programs in Maine. The State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants program is administered by the U.S. Department of Energy. The program offers states funding to create and implement workforce development programs that prepare workers to deliver energy efficiency, electrification, and clean energy improvements, including those covered under federal energy efficiency rebate programs. Consistent with federal guidelines, states may design programs that:
- Reduce costs associated with training contractor employees
- Provide testing and certification of contractors
- Partner with nonprofits to attract and train a diverse set of local workers