The Efficiency Maine Commercial and Industrial Custom Program provides funding for electrical and thermal energy efficiency projects across Maine. Eligible applicants include businesses, nonprofits, institutions, and governmental entities seeking to improve energy efficiency through custom solutions.
Eligible projects encompass a wide range of energy efficiency improvements including process improvements, heat recovery systems, custom heat pump installations, HVAC equipment and controls upgrades, high efficiency compressed air systems, variable frequency drive (VFD) installations on motors, and chiller and pump upgrades. All projects must achieve a benefit-to-cost ratio greater than 1.0 according to Efficiency Maine's benefit-cost test. Measures must increase end-use energy efficiency compared to a baseline and qualify for an incentive of at least $10,000 (or $5,000 for facilities with peak demands less than 400 kW).
Funding levels range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $1,000,000 per facility, covering up to 50% of total project costs. Incentive awards are capped based on validated annual energy reductions at $0.30 per kWh of annual reduction in grid-supplied electricity plus $25 per MMBtu of annual fuel savings. Heat recovery systems and custom beneficial electrification projects are eligible for $50 per MMBtu of validated annual fuel savings. Retrofit projects require a minimum 50% cost share, while new construction and lost opportunity projects require a minimum 25% cost share of the incremental cost.
Projects with estimated incentives over $200,000 require a formal contract with the Efficiency Maine Trust, while projects below $200,000 require agreement to the Custom Program's Terms and Conditions. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until available program funding is exhausted. Applicants must have an account with a Maine electric or fuel utility to be eligible.