United States
Environmental Protection
k Agency
vvEPA
State Incentives for Achieving Clean and Renewable Energy
Development on Contaminated Lands
\
Maine ^
The development of clean and renewable energy on formerly used land offers many economic and environmental benefits. Combining clean and renewable
energy and contaminated land cleanup incentives can allow investors and communities to create economically viable clean and renewable energy redevelopmehl projects.
This document provides information about incentives in your state that can be leveraged for clean and renewable energy and development of contaminated land.
V,
Incentives for Clean and Renewable Energy
Funding (loans, grants, bonds, etc.)
Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) -- Voluntary
Renewable Resources Fund
www.efficiencymaine.com/renewable_programs_voluntary.htm
Provides grants up to $50,000 (as funds are available) for small-scale
community projects designed to educate the community on the value and
cost-effectiveness of harnessing natural resources for clean electricity.
Maine-based nonprofit organizations (including community-based
nonprofits), electric cooperatives, quasi-municipal corporations and
districts, and community action programs are eligible. Total funding
available through this fund is dependent on voluntary contributions by
electric customers and revenues from the renewable portfolio standard
alternative compliance payment.
Tax Incentives (abatements, deductions, credits, etc.)
PUC - Solar and Wind Energy Rebate Program
www.efficiencymaine.com/renewable_programs_solar.htm
Provides rebates for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV), solar hot
water and solar air systems for Maine residents. Rebate incentive amounts
for FY2008 included a commercial incentive: 35% of the system costs or
$10,500, whichever is less. The two-year program extension will provide
additional funding for PV from January 1,2009, through December 31,
2010. However, due to the popularity of the program all funds have been
allocated for 2008 and 2009. Legislation enacted in April 2008 extended
rebates to grid-tied wind energy systems installed after January 1,2009;
the PUC will establish new rebate levels.
Net Metering
www.state.me. us/mpuc
Credits net excess generation (NEG) to the following month for up to 12
months; after the end of an annualized period, all NEG is granted to the
utility with no compensation for the customer. There is no limit on the
aggregate amount of energy generated by net-metered customers.
However, a utility must notify the PUC if the cumulative capacity of net-
metered facilities reaches 0.5% of the utility's peak demand. System size
limit is 100 kW. All of Maine's electric utilities—investor-owned utilities,
municipal utilities and electric cooperatives—must offer net metering.
Applicable sectors include: commercial, industrial and residential.
Quick Facts
Public Benefit Fund (PBF)
Renewable Portfolio Standard
30% by 2000; 10% by 2017
Net Metering
Interconnection Standards
Yes 0 No D
Yes 0 No D
Yes 0 No D
Yes D No 0
Electric Power Industry Generation by
Primary Energy Source (EIA, 2006)
Petroleum-Fired 3.5% Hydroelectric 25.4%
Natural Gas-Fired 43.4% Other Renewables 23.6%
Coal-Fired 1.9% Other 2.1%
Points of Contact
Maine PUC, www.state.me.us/mpuc
Voluntary Renewable Resources Fund
Shirley Bartlett, shirley.bartlett@maine.gov, (207) 287-3318
Solar and Wind Energy Rebate Program
Richard Fortier, Richard.Fortier@maine.gov, (207) 287-3319
Net Metering
Mitchell Tannenbaum, mitchell.tannenbaum@maine.gov, (207) 287-1391
Information current as of November 2008; please refer to
www.epa.gov/brownfields/pubs/st_res_prog_report.htm and the state Web sites provided,
or contact the points of contact identified above for more up to date information.
Maine Incentives for the Development of Contaminated Land - Page 2
-------
Incentives for Development of Contaminated Land
Technical Assistance and Other Incentives
Municipal Brownfields Site Assessment Program
www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/brownHelds/pdf/bsaapp.pdf
Assists municipalities and nonprofits in conducting Phase I and II site
assessments at brownfield properties. The program's goal is to provide
information to applicants regarding the presence of contamination, and
assist applicants with decision making regarding the property.
Municipal Brownfields Request for Remedial Assistance
www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/brownfields/pdf/remapp.pdf
Assists municipalities and nonprofits with cleanup efforts of petroleum and
hazardous substances at brownfield properties. Many of these sites have
already participated in site investigation through state or federal
brownfields programs. The program's goal is to conduct remediation
activities at brownfields and clear the way for redevelopment.
Limitations on Liability
Voluntary Response Action Program (VRAP)
www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/vrap/
Provides a Certificate of Completion—a release from liability for the
remediation of all known contamination at the property—for all pollutants
identified in site assessment and cleanup upon completion of the voluntary
response plan under the Maine Voluntary Response Action Program.
Quick Facts
Limitations on Liability
Yes 0 No D
Number of State-Tracked Contaminated Properties: 1,000
Includes brownfields, VPAF, uncontrolled sites, landfills, and federal facilities
Number of EPA CERCLIS Sites: 55
Sites identified for potential investigation under the federal Superfund Program
Number of EPA Brownfields Properties: 166
Properties being funded or addressed under the EPA Brownfields Program
There may be some overlap among the categories listed and sites listed may not
represent all potentially contaminated sites in Maine.
Points of Contact
Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
www.state.me.us/dep/rwm/rem/brown.htm
Municipal Brownfields Site Assessment Program, Municipal
Brownfields Request for Remedial Assistance
Jean Firth, jean.m.firth@maine.gov, (207) 287-7716
VRAP, Nick Hodgkins, nick.hodgkins@maine.gov, (207) 287-4854
Information current as of November 2008; please refer to
www.epa.gov/brownfields/pubs/st_res_prog_report.htm and the state Web sites provided,
or contact the points of contact identified above for more up to date information.
Maine Incentives for the Development of Contaminated Land - Page 2
------- |