Energy Efficiency Targets

October 25, 2024

Summary

Origin

In June 2009, Maine enacted the Act Regarding Maine's Energy Future, which established the Efficiency Maine Trust (EMT). The targets have since been updated, and currently are:

Reducing peak load electricity consumption by the maximum achievable amount
Achieving the maximum achievable electricity and natural gas savings
Creating private sector jobs providing alternative energy and energy efficiency products and service
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the state climate plan
175,000 additional heat pumps by 2027
35,000 homes weatherized by 2030
220,000 battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids registered by 2030

Triennial plans must be approved by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC). The first triennial plan was approved by the Commission in July 2010, and expired at the end of 2013. The overall goals and the programs are directed at consumers rather than utilities. Currently, the plan which covers Fiscal Year 2023-2025 is in effect.

Electric and Natural Gas Sales and Demand Reductions

In pursuance of these goals, the Trust must develop triennial plans describing a three-year plan, programs, and implementation strategies for reaching these goals, as well as other energy efficiency and renewable energy goals. The approved plan spanning the current 2023-2025 triennial plan period, approved by the Maine Public Utilities Commission, can be found here. A draft triennial plan for 2026-2028 is available here.

Program Administrator Type

The EMT administers all the programs required for meeting the state's targets during each triennial period, and serves as Maine's "energy efficiency utility".

Cost-Effectiveness and Program Evaluation

The EMT (and the MPUC) uses the Total Resource Cost (TRC) test, one of the five "California tests" from the California Standard Practice Manual, as its primary test for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of its programs.

Utility Cost Recovery Measures

The EMT's programs are funded by a variety of funding sources, including revenues from the ISO New England Forward Capacity Market (FCM), the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and Maine's System Benefit Charge.

While Central Maine Power recently received permission to decouple its revenue from its sales, it is currently the only utility pursuing such an approach.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	State
Category:	Regulatory Policy
State:	Maine
Incentive Type:	Energy Efficiency Resource Standard
Web Site:	https://www.maine.gov/energy/initiatives/energy-efficiency
Administrator:	Efficiency Maine
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Yes; specific technologies not identified
Electric Sales Reduction:	Maximum achievable amount
Electric Peak Demand Reduction:	Maximum achievable amount
Natural Gas Sales Reduction:	Maximum achievable amount
Rate Impact Parameters:	Yes

Authorities

Name:	35-A MRSA §10104 et seq.
Date Enacted:	06/12/2009
Effective Date:	07/01/2010

Name:

MPUC Order, Docket No. 2013-00168 (Order Approving Central Maine Power Decoupling Mechanism)

Name:

Efficiency Maine Trust 2020-2022 Triennial Plan

Name:

35-A MRS §10104(4)(F)

Contact

Name:	General Questions
Organization:	Efficiency Maine
Address:
Phone:	(866) 376-2463
Email:	efficiencymaine@efficiencymaine.com

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.