AUGUSTA – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Kilton Webb, D-Durham, that will create a clean, renewable energy construction project database to help better identify current energy trends will go into effect today.
The Governor's Energy Office, along with the Public Utilities Commission, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Labor as well as the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry will be responsible for working together to submit a report to the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.
The report will contain recommendations regarding how best to display and maintain data regarding clean energy construction projects and trends in a way that is publicly accessible.
“We have seen a boom of clean energy projects in our state over the last few years,” said Webb. “As an electrician, I’ve helped to build some of these projects myself, including several utility-scale projects that now power tens of thousands of Maine homes with affordable, home-grown energy. It is an industry that continues to benefit Maine’s economy.”
According to a March 2026 report published by the Maine Department of Energy Resources, Maine's clean energy sector contributed $3 billion to the state's economy with a total of 16,171 workers. Additionally, jobs in this sector grew three times faster than the state’s overall workforce and has outpaced national clean energy employment growth since 2020.
The database will track the geospatial footprint of each project, the type of land projects are built on and whether or not proper permitting has been applied for and received, among other initiatives.
“To be clear, most of the developers, contractors and subcontractors on clean energy projects are good actors who follow the law,” said Webb. “But when mistakes are made and violations occur, corrective action should be fairly, consistently and proactively taken. LD 1850 will provide much-needed transparency, accountability and fairness for workers, developers and contractors.”
Rep. Kilton Webb is serving his first term in the Maine House and represents House District 98, which includes Durham, Pownal and portions of Lisbon, Bowdoin and Topsham. He serves on the Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Webb) | 305-965-2744