The past few weeks have marked the receipt of several million dollars in federal funding being sent to Maine in support of environmental initiatives primarily aimed at increasing access to electric vehicle (EV) charging and renewable energy in the state.
In late January, three members of Maine’s Congressional delegation announced that an Acadia National Park maintenance complex has been award a $1 million grant from the federal government to install rooftop solar panels and EV charging stations.
Sen. Angus King (I), Rep. Jared Golden (D), and Rep. Chellie Pingree (D) published a press release on January 22 reporting that the McFarland Hill headquarters campus in Bar Harbor was awarded $1 million from United States Department of Energy’s (DOE) Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) program.
Early last year, Sen. King and Sen. Susan Collins (R) secured nearly $33 million in federal funding for the new complex’s construction, but this grant did not include “the capital improvements needed to move towards a net-zero emissions building or park,” according to the January press release.
The additional $1 million will go toward the installation of solar panels at the complex, as well as twelve EV charging stations.
“Acadia National Park is truly one of America’s most extraordinary treasures,” the three lawmakers said. “Every year, the Park brings millions from around the world to experience Mount Desert Island’s awe-inspiring beauty, enjoy ‘The Way Life Should Be’, and support small businesses across our state.”
“Affordable, clean energy is critical to preserving Acadia and all of Maine’s outdoor beauty for generations to come,” they wrote. “This funding will help drive Acadia’s commitment to sustainability forward through the implantation of solar panels and use of electric vehicles while also saving the taxpayers’ dollars — it’s a win-win.”
“Thanks to Maine leaders like Acadia Park Superintendent Kevin Schneider and his team, Maine will continue to pave the way toward a clean energy future,” the legislators concluded.
Click Here to Read the Full Press Release
The $1 million grant to Maine came as part of a larger disbursement of AFFECT funding nationwide totaling $104 million.
According to the DOE’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) — the agency responsible for awarding AFFECT grants — the solar panels will generate an estimated 50 percent of the energy used by the facility and result in roughly $60,000 annually.
This round of federal funding came just days after the federal government’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program awarded the Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) $15 million to install several hundred EV chargers throughout the state as part of their Recharge Maine initiative.
According to the project narrative published by the Maine Department of Transportation, they intend to install 520 Level 2 chargers and 34 DC Fast chargers across 132 locations statewide.
The project schedule indicates that construction is expected to be complete on all sites by December 31, 2026.
[RELATED: Maine Receives $15 Million from Biden Admin to Install EV Chargers Across the State]
In a letter written by Gov. Janet Mills (D) in support of Maine’s application for this grant, she suggested that the Recharge Maine project would make EV charging more widely available and help reduce “‘range anxiety’ by closing gaps between charging stations.”
“This project will equitably provide public charging throughout Maine communities, serving individuals who do not have access to it at home such as those living in apartments and other multi-unit dwellings,” Gov. Mills wrote. “It will benefit disadvantaged communities by ensuring chargers are located in neighborhoods of all income levels and will greatly reduce ‘range anxiety’ by closing gaps between charging stations.”
Mills also expressed concern that a lack of EV charging stations throughout the state would cause “Maine’s $14 billion tourism industry [to] suffer” if those visiting the state felt they could not reliably charge their vehicles while visiting.
The receipt of these federal grants came against the backdrop of an ongoing statewide controversy surrounding the Maine Board of Environmental Protection’s (Maine BEP’s) consideration of a California-style mandate that would effectively phase out the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2032.
[RELATED: Electric Vehicle Mandate Slated for March Hearing as Mills Touts EV Charger Investments]
Although the BEP was originally expected to vote on the rule change this past December, the meeting was cancelled on account of a deadly and destructive storm that took place several days prior and left nearly half the state without power.
As a result of the delay, the Maine BEP amended the proposed rule changes to cut the first year of implementation from the program, which was originally intended to begin in 2027 with a requirement that 43 percent of new car sales be comprised of EVs.
[RELATED: Mills Admin Delays Electric Vehicle Mandate Vote Due to Storm Emergency]
Because of this “substantial change,” the Maine BEP reopened the public comment period for the proposal, accepting input from Mainers until February 5.
According to a spokesperson for the Maine BEP, the Board is tentatively scheduled to undertake “further rulemaking” on the mandate during a meeting on March 20, 2024 at the Augusta Civic Center.
Down to what temperature will these 550 new, tax payer built, charging stations efficiently charge up an EV? Or are these only for rich out of state tourists who only come here in the Summer? Those of us in Northern Maine are not likely to gamble on driving an EV in the Winter, even if we were able to afford to buy one in the first place.
Ha ha ha. Nobody gives a crap.
Governor Mills (and the rest of the liberal gang) want to put charging stations in disadvantage communities…Do they honestly think disadvantaged people can afford $70,000 for EV’s?
These people need IQ tests. Stop spending our money on these ridiculous equity based decisions.
More taxpayer money pi**ed down the drain, but that’s all these political hacks and “environmental whackos” know how to do with OPM.
Janet Newsom Mills, two birds of a feather who don’t give a crap about what they spend money on because it’s somebody else’s…NOT THEIRS!!!!
What a complete and blatant waste of taxpayer dollars, we have elected idiots who couldn’t find their own ass if they bent over and used both hands.
No wonder our national debt is being increased by 2 trillion a year and requires interest payments of at least a trillion dollars a year. DC is totally incapable of managing money and fools like this trio are proud to be trying to buy votes with money our government does NOT have to spend. Government cannot do everything for everybody and cannot spend money they don’t have……..for too long. The money that fools like this are throwing into the “green revolution” that can’t possibly work as they dream it will, is beyond imagination. Runaway spending is going to destroy our DC cesspool of government. It can’t happen soon enough.
The three of them ned to go now
And we voted for the!
Were is the money for my extenson cord it is a long way to southern Maine where most live.
I need the Boader closed and more police to catch the four who were shooting up Sacotwo days. Driving down a main street in two cars shooting at each other. Some of Joes boarder friends and and ones the democrates like you three hope will vote for you. The three of you do not support law and order. But they were well dressed with MY MONEY You gave them with my taxes.
Show me your electric cars! you BS speakers. If we did not pay our taxes you get nothing.
It is going on 3 days now that shoot them up Saco cowboys are on the louse. We need more enforcement Joe NOT more of your illegal friends.
“They ” do not care if Amy of this green bullshit works! It won’t affect them at all!! That’s why it’s being done , to rob us of the rest of our money ,they get richer we get fleeced. And than they have more control over us people who aren’t smart enough to take care of ourselves . It’s the plan!! Wait till they get their CBDC , game over!
Wake up people! Time to Stand up , take control of ALL of our local politics , school boards ,Etc. Run for those positions , be smart. Watch those drop boxes, VOTE LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT, BECAUSE IT DOES!!