AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee voted last week to move forward a measure from Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell, that would improve access to energy efficiency programs for low- and moderate-income Mainers living in manufactured homes.
As amended, LD 815 would require the Maine State Housing Authority and Efficiency Maine Trust to increase outreach efforts to residents of manufactured housing to improve awareness about energy efficiency grant and loan programs that are available.
Manufactured housing is assembled at off-site factories before being transported to property sites of use. In 2020, 62,000 of the Maines 747,000 housing units were mobile homes.
"Improving outreach efforts will help raise awareness about the programs available for Mainers to better weatherize their homes," said Golek. "Directing the Maine State Housing Authority and Efficiency Maine Trust to work together to improve awareness about their programs will help Mainers who own manufactured homes make much needed updates, lowering their energy costs and helping our state meet our long-term clean energy goals."
The cost of heating oil in Maine has increased significantly over the last several years. According to the Governors Energy Office, the statewide cost of heating oil was $3.60 a gallon as of May 1, up from $2.55 a gallon in May 2021.
Golek, a member of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee and the Joint Select Committee on Housing, is serving her first term in the Maine House and represents Harpswell and part of Brunswick.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Golek], c. 305-965-2744