Maine Gets $25 Million to Weatherize Homes

In early November, Maine’s governor, Janet Mills urged families to take advantage of roughly $100 million in federal funds available in Maine to weatherize homes or cover heating costs.

In a press event, Governor Mills promoted her administration’s decision to earmark $25 million in federal stimulus funds to home weatherization. Efficiency Maine, the local organization that will be distributing the grants, estimates the money will help 3,500 low- to moderate-income households weatherize their homes. Additionally, Maine has received nearly $70 million to provide heating assistance to low-income households at a time when pandemic-related supply issues are driving up prices. On average, Maine residents paid $3.15 per gallon for heating oil in late October, which is 68% higher than October of last year.

The initiatives are part of the governor’s Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan. Qualifying low to moderate-income Mainers are able to get assistance to weatherize their homes. “The sad fact is that we are the most heating-dependent state in the nation,” Mills said. Mills reported that Mainers spend more than $4 billion every year on fossil fuels to heat their homes, with oil and gas prices on the rise, weatherizing homes is just one step to help Mainers cut heating costs.

“Weatherization can save families as much as $700 every heating season,” Mills said. The governor’s announcement comes after a report from the U.S. Energy Information Agency estimates that the costs for nearly all home heating methods will increase this winter, as a result of pandemic effects. 

You can read more about the initiative here. 

Image credit: Bangor Daily News.