Bill > LD996

This bill establishes the Weatherization Plus Program within the Maine State Housing Authority to help low-income households improve their home's energy efficiency and reduce barriers to weatherization. The program will provide grants up to $20,000 for eligible households to implement energy conservation measures, with a focus on addressing issues that previously prevented homes from qualifying for the federal Weatherization Assistance Program. To be eligible, applicants must meet the same income requirements as the federal program, own a single-family home or manufactured housing, and demonstrate a likelihood of completing full weatherization after initial readiness projects. The bill also creates a dedicated Weatherization Plus Fund to support the program, which will be funded through state appropriations, repayments, investment returns, and other directed funds. The fund is established as a nonlapsing, revolving account, and the bill includes a one-time appropriation of $2,000,000 in the 2025-26 fiscal year to jumpstart the program's implementation. The overall goal is to help low-income households improve their home's energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, and maximize the use of available federal funding.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=996&snum=132