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From welcoming feedback on an energy coaching pilot program to offering funding for infrastructure resilience and energy-efficient lighting in schools, Maine is taking action on climate.
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Public Comment Opportunity: Energy Coaching Pilot Program
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Per legislation, the Maine Department of Energy Resources and the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future are currently accepting public comments on a draft report outlining the potential design options for home energy navigator and coaching pilot programs for Maine.
Energy coaches provide community-based assistance to households, helping them understand and address barriers to energy efficient technology adoption, learn about available grants and other incentives, and review and analyze contractor recommendations. While there is no funding currently available, this draft report was designed with input from stakeholders in coordination with Efficiency Maine Trust, MaineHousing, and the Maine Office of Community Affairs pursuant to Resolves 2025, Ch. 86.
Want to provide your input? Submit comments via email to [email protected] with the subject line "LD 1967 Program Design Public Comment" no later than 5 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2026.
For more information about the pilot program, head here.
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State Hiring Green Schools Network Coordinator
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Through AmeriCorps VISTA and Goodwill Northern New England, the Maine Department of Education is hiring a Green Schools Network Coordinator to develop a statewide communication and outreach plan that will provide educational and facility-improvement resources for Maine schools, particularly rural and low-income districts.
This will be a central coordinating role in the development of the newly established Green Schools Network and is ideal for individuals seeking to contribute to addressing climate change while collaborating with Maine's environmental leaders.
For more information, visit the job posting on Goodwill Northern New England's website.
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Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund Opens in March
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The Maine Department of Transportation will soon be seeking applications for the 2026 Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund (MIAF).
This fund provides one-time funding to municipalities, tribal governments, and infrastructure districts to adapt critical infrastructure to reduce vulnerability to climate change. Read the full funding notice here.
The State anticipates awarding up to $13.8 million to fund eligible projects. Eligible activities include scoping, design, and construction, with award amounts up to $3 million. Applicants are required to provide a minimum of 5% local match (cash or in-kind) of the total project costs.
The Request for Applications will be posted here in late March 2026 and is expected to remain open for six weeks.
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Funding Opportunity: School Lighting Retrofits
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Photo credit: Efficiency Maine
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Efficiency Maine is seeking applications for energy efficiency projects involving lighting retrofits in public prek-12 schools. This opportunity offers incentives that are 30% higher than typically provided under Efficiency Maine's commercial initiatives and are designed to accelerate the conversion to LED lighting. Applications are due Jun. 30, 2026.
Visit Efficiency Maine's website for more information.
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