Title 35-A, Title 35-A

1. General. The trust shall provide to the public information about renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency practices. In providing this information, the trust shall consider: A. The aspects of renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency practices about which …

1. Fund established; use of money. The Heating Fuels Efficiency and Weatherization Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established. The fund is a nonlapsing fund and is administered by the trust in accordance with this section. Any interest earned on funds in the …

1. Performance metrics. The trust shall incorporate performance metrics in the triennial plan. The performance metrics must define the electricity, natural gas and heating fuel savings targets established in section 10104, subsection 4, paragraph F and specify the metrics for ass…

The trust shall develop and implement a process to review projects undertaken by health care facilities that are directed solely at reducing energy costs through energy efficiency, renewable energy technology or smart grid technology and to certify those projects that are likely …

To the extent funds are available, the trust shall develop a program to provide technical and financial support to help kindergarten to grade 12 schools, including charter schools and private schools, to become carbon neutral. Under this program, the trust may: [PL 2021, c. 152, …

1. Fund established. The Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Fund is established as a nonlapsing fund administered by the trust to increase the availability and effectiveness of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the State. Any interest earned on funds in the fund m…

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Battery electric vehicle" means a fully electric, zero-emission vehicle that has an on-board electrical energy storage device that is designed to …

1. Establishment; purpose. The Thermal Energy Investment Program is established within the trust to provide incentives and low-interest or no-interest loans to strengthen the State's forest products industry and lower energy costs by increasing the efficient use of thermal energy…

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Accelerator" means the Maine Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator established under subsection 2. [PL 2021, c. 358, §2 (NEW); RR 2021, c. 1…

This chapter may be known and cited as "the Property Assessed Clean Energy Act" or "the PACE Act."

It is declared that the establishment and implementation of property assessed clean energy, or PACE, programs to finance energy savings improvements are public purposes.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2009, c. 591, §1 (NEW).] 1. Energy savings improvement. "Energy savings improvement" means an improvement to qualifying property that, as determined by the trust,…

1. Establishment; funding. The trust or a municipality that has adopted a PACE ordinance may establish a PACE program funded by funds awarded to the State under the federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program or by any other funds available for this purpose. No…

1. Underwriting. A PACE agreement entered into pursuant to a PACE program must comply with underwriting requirements established by rule by the trust. In adopting such rules, the trust shall seek advice from the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Consu…

1. Collection of assessments. PACE assessments do not constitute a tax but may be assessed and collected by the trust, a municipality or an agent designated by the trust or a municipality in any manner allowed under the PACE program, consistent with applicable laws. 2. Notice; fi…

1. Purchase of goods and services. A property owner who has entered into a PACE agreement under this chapter may purchase directly all goods and services for the energy savings improvements described in the PACE agreement, subject to vendor certification by the trust and other re…

The trust shall report annually on the implementation of this chapter as part of the report required under section 10104, subsection 5.

Rules adopted under this chapter are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.

Nothing in this chapter may be construed to limit the home rule authority of a municipality.

Nothing in this chapter is intended to or may be construed to constitute a mandate that would prevent the sale of carbon emissions reductions into a voluntary carbon market.

If standards are adopted by any state or federal agency subsequent to a municipality's adoption of a PACE ordinance or participation in a PACE program and those standards substantially conflict with the municipality's manner of participation in the PACE program, the municipality …

It is declared that the establishment and implementation of commercial property assessed clean energy, or commercial PACE, programs to finance energy savings improvements are public purposes.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2021, c. 142, §1 (NEW).] 1. Commercial PACE. "Commercial PACE" means commercial property assessed clean energy. 2. Commercial PACE agreement. "Commercial PACE agr…

1. Establishment; administration. The trust, a 3rd party contracted by the trust or a municipality that has adopted a commercial PACE ordinance may establish a commercial PACE program. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the trust may use funds from its administ…

1. Underwriting. A commercial PACE agreement entered into pursuant to a commercial PACE program must comply with underwriting requirements established by rule by the trust. Underwriting requirements established by the trust must, at a minimum: A. Provide that the term of the comm…

1. Collection of assessments. A commercial PACE assessment constitutes a lien on the qualifying property until it is paid in full and must be assessed and collected by the trust, a 3rd-party administrator contracted by the trust, a municipality or an agent designated by the trust…

1. Purchase of goods and services. A commercial property owner who has entered into a commercial PACE agreement under this chapter may purchase directly all goods and services for the energy savings improvements described in the commercial PACE agreement, subject to any applicabl…

The trust shall report annually on the implementation of this chapter as part of the report required under section 10104, subsection 5.

Rules adopted under this chapter are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.

Nothing in this chapter may be construed to limit the home rule authority of a municipality.

If standards are adopted by any state or federal agency subsequent to a municipality's adoption of a commercial PACE ordinance or participation in a commercial PACE program and those standards substantially conflict with the municipality's manner of participation in the commercia…

The Department of Energy Resources is established as a cabinet-level department.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2025, c. 476, Pt. A, §16 (NEW).] 1. Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Energy Resources. 2. Department. "Department" means the Department of E…

The department has responsibilities relating to energy resources, planning, programs and development. The department shall conduct planning, develop and implement policies and establish programs designed to ensure all households, communities and businesses in the State have acces…

The department is under the control and supervision of the Commissioner of Energy Resources, who reports directly to the Governor. [PL 2025, c. 476, Pt. A, §16 (NEW).] 1. Appointment. The Governor shall appoint the commissioner, subject to review by the joint standing committee o…

Under the supervision of the commissioner, the department shall: [PL 2025, c. 476, Pt. A, §16 (NEW).] 1. State energy plan. Prepare and submit a comprehensive state energy plan to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy mat…

The department shall advise state agencies regarding energy-related principles for agencies to consider, along with the laws and policies governing those agencies, in: [PL 2025, c. 476, Pt. A, §16 (NEW).] 1. State-owned land and assets. The sale, lease or other allowance for use …

The department may adopt rules the commissioner determines necessary for the proper implementation of this chapter. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A, unless otherwise specified.

In addition to funds provided from the General Fund or other available resources, the department is funded in accordance with this section. [PL 2025, c. 476, Pt. A, §16 (NEW).] 1. Federal funds. The department is funded by federal funds that are available to and received by the d…

The department, with input from stakeholders and in consultation with the Efficiency Maine Trust, established in chapter 97, shall develop a plan to reduce the use of oil in all sectors of the economy in this State. The plan must: [PL 2025, c. 476, Pt. A, §16 (NEW).] 1. Targets. …

The Maine Energy Resources Development Program, referred to in this section as "the program," is established to promote energy research and demonstration activities related to the use of indigenous, renewable resources and more efficient use of energy. The department, as funding …

The Distributed Solar and Energy Storage Program is established to provide funding to foster the continued growth of cost-effective distributed solar facilities and energy storage systems in this State. The department, as funding allows, shall develop the program. [PL 2025, c. 47…

The following provisions govern the reporting of petroleum product inventories and deliveries. [PL 2025, c. 476, Pt. A, §16 (NEW).] 1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Petroleum prod…

The department is responsible for initiating and conducting procurements for energy, associated environmental attributes or other services from renewable and clean resources. For the purposes of this section, "renewable and clean resources" means generation eligible for any portf…