Members of the Northeast Public Power Association in Maine have received grant awards to deploy electrical grid resilience projects in Maine communities.
Maine Governor Janet Mills on July 23 announced $6.6 million in grant awards to six Maine utilities and technology providers to deploy electrical grid resilience projects in Maine communities.
The awards, selected through the Maine Grid Resilience Program with funds awarded to the state under the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants, “will improve the resilience of Maine’s electrical grid to better withstand extreme storms while enhancing clean energy deployment and job opportunities,” a news release from the governor’s office said.
When combined with matching funds provided by recipients, these awards represent an investment of more than $11 million to improve the resiliency of Maine’s electrical infrastructure.
The funds are administered by the Governor’s Energy Office.
“While all NEPPA utilities strive for a reliable and resilient electric system, we are thrilled that many of our member utilities in Maine are taking advantage of the Federal funds available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This demonstrates their commitment to continued improvement,” said Mike Hyland, NEPPA’s Executive Director.
The NEPPA Maine communities selected for awards are:
- Calais region: Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative will upgrade its distribution system by replacing approximately 10.6 miles of older distribution lines, adding and replacing transformers, and replacing poles and cross arms. “In addition to hardening this section of distribution lines, this funding will increase the ability to back feed more consumers from multiple substations,” said Scott Hallowell, CEO of Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative. Amount: $2,000,000.
- Vinalhaven and North Haven: Fox Islands Electric Cooperative (FEIC) will upgrade and relocate an existing submarine electrical cable that serves the island community of North Haven, “a project that will protect critical infrastructure from the impacts of extreme weather conditions and modernize FIEC’s grid to ensure safe and resilient electric service,” said Amy M. W. Turner, CEO of Fox Islands Electric Cooperative. “This funding is a significant step towards achieving FIEC’s goal to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy to its Fox Islands communities.” Amount: $1,080,626.
- Madison area: The Madison Extreme Weather Resilience project will increase community and electric grid resilience by upgrading critical power lines, expanding vegetation maintenance, and deploying advanced monitoring devices to decrease outages, particularly those resulting from flooding. “This funding will enable us to keep our system ready for future harsher weather conditions,” said Martin Berry, Superintendent for Madison Electric Works. Amount: $510,633.
- Van Buren: Van Buren Light and Power will replace antiquated poles, distribution lines, and switching equipment while also training apprentice line workers. “The funding will help ensure that Van Buren Light and Power District will provide safe, reliable electrical power to the Town of Van Buren, Maine into the future,” said William H. Schofield, manager of Van Buren Light and Power. Amount: $561,750.
Awards are conditional pending final U.S. Department of Energy review and finalization of contract negotiations. GEO anticipates receiving up to $4.4 million in future BIL funding for additional grid resilience projects in over the next two years.
In addition to supporting grid resilience, the grant program seeks to support Maine’s climate and clean energy goals and further expand Maine’s clean energy economy, which currently employs over 15,000 people and contributed over $2.3 billion to the economy in 2022.
In May, Governor Mills signed an executive order to establish a new commission that will develop the State of Maine’s first plan for long-term infrastructure resilience, following the two devastating winter storms and a record eight storm-related Federal disaster declarations in Maine over the past two years.
The 24-member commission will engage with communities, industries, and organizations across Maine to understand challenges following storms, identify and bridge gaps in resources like funding, financing, and insurance, how to improve the resilience of energy systems, propose new approaches to improve disaster recovery and response, and strengthen resilience supports at the state, regional, and local levels.
