Council creates commercial property assessed clean energy (C‑PACE) program, Efficiency Maine to administer

The Bangor City Council unanimously passed an ordinance (25‑192) to create a commercial property assessed clean energy program, commonly called C‑PACE, which will allow qualifying commercial property owners to secure upfront financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements through a property tax assessment mechanism.

Under the ordinance, property owners would borrow from third‑party capital providers registered with Efficiency Maine, which the ordinance designates as the program administrator. Repayment would be secured through a property tax assessment on enrolled properties; the city would not be financially liable for loan repayment in the event of tax foreclosure on enrolled property, the council was told.

During brief discussion, councilors asked whether the program would help both small and large businesses and whether Efficiency Maine would be accessible to property owners; Anya Colette, planning officer, responded that the program provides an additional financing avenue for both small and larger commercial property owners and that Efficiency Maine will manage program access and administration.

The council recorded a roll call vote in favor; the ordinance was recommended by the Business and Economic Development Committee on June 16, 2025, the council packet shows.

Ending: The ordinance’s passage authorizes the city to participate in a C‑PACE program administered by Efficiency Maine and creates a mechanism by which private capital can finance commercial energy improvements secured by a property assessment lien. Specific program design and enrollment procedures will be set out by Efficiency Maine and any registered capital providers.