AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature voted this week to enact 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 available energy efficiency grant and loan programs. Manufactured housing is assembled at off-site factories before being transported to property sites of use, such as mobile homes. In 2020, 62,000 of the Maine's 747,000 housing units were mobile homes.
"Weatherizing manufactured homes can help lead to long-term progress toward our state's energy goals," said Golek. "Requiring Maine Efficiency Trust and the Maine State Housing Authority to collaborate on outreach efforts will help inform more Mainers about the weatherization programs available to them. I am grateful that this legislation is one step closer to becoming law."
The bill now heads to the governors desk.
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