Governor Janet Mills touts renewable gains, announces state procurement to boost energy storage

Governor Janet Mills said Maine will expand renewable energy and run a state procurement to add grid-connected storage as a tool to lower residents' electricity bills.

"That's the leading factor driving up energy costs for Maine," Mills said of the state's reliance on natural gas, arguing the dependence on fossil fuels is pushing prices higher for ratepayers. She also blamed federal policy changes, saying, "President Trump and Congress have repealed tax credits ... and they've imposed new tariffs that are making clean energy production more expensive and raising energy costs for Maine people."

Mills recounted accomplishments her administration credits for expanding clean power in the state: "we've added more than 2 gigawatts of clean energy" to the grid and "added 240 megawatts of grid connected storage," figures she presented as unprecedented progress. She said the Maine Department of Energy Resources will "conduct a procurement for energy storage projects" this year to help the state surpass its stated goal of 400 megawatts of storage installed by 2030.

The governor cited projects already breaking ground, including "Crosstown Storage in Gorham," and described how storage would ease strains during peak demand: these facilities "will store power for periods of high demand, like during the cold spells we've had recently," she said, and that will help keep energy costs down.

Mills also highlighted energy-efficiency and electrification milestones: more than 1,400 public electric-vehicle charging ports installed, and "more than a 180,000 heat pumps statewide," surpassing an earlier 100,000 goal and setting a new target of 275,000 heat pumps by the end of next year. She said the transition has reduced Maine's reliance on heating oil by "nearly 20%" since she took office and that the renewable sector now employs "more than 15,600 people" and "contributes nearly $3,000,000,000 to our economy each year."

On regional cooperation, Mills described the Northern Maine renewable energy and transmission project as a multi-state effort that she said will bring more renewables to the New England grid, reduce fossil-fuel dependence and spur economic development in Northern Maine.

Mills framed the state's approach as a continuation of policies regardless of changes in the White House: "no matter who's in the White House, Maine will keep working to attract investments in emerging renewable energy industries," she said, concluding the address by reiterating the focus on jobs, reliability and shielding residents from volatile energy costs.

The procurement the governor announced is to be conducted this year by the Maine Department of Energy Resources; Mills did not provide a procurement schedule or funding details in the recorded remarks.