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The Lead by Example PON is now closed to new applications. Projects that have already received an invitation to apply are still eligible for funding.

Lead by Example

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Maine State buildings currently heated with oil or propane are eligible for special incentives to convert to heat pump-based systems. Eligible buildings include those leased or owned by state agencies. So called “beneficial electrification” is a key strategy of the State Climate Action Plan and support a recommendation of the Maine Climate Council for state government to “lead by example” in decarbonizing the heating and cooling of public buildings.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include all Maine State Agencies listed on the Maine website here. Municipal, tribal, and county governments as well as community colleges and universities are not eligible. However, these customers are eligible for the Trust’s C&I Prescriptive and Custom Programs.

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects are those that will replace existing oil- or propane-fired heating systems with electric heat pump technology.

Additionally, eligible projects must:

  1. Be installed at existing buildings leased or owned by the State of Maine.
  2. Achieve a savings to investment ratio (SIR) greater than 1.0 when comparing the net present value of the project’s financial savings to its financial costs (which costs shall include any financial incentive from the Trust).
  3. Heat pump systems must be installed as the primary heat source, capable of heating the whole building or nearly the whole building, with existing systems to be removed entirely or left in place to serve as emergency backup.

Incentives awarded under this PON are intended to influence the implementation of projects that the applicant could not implement in the foreseeable future if not for the incentive.

Award Amounts and Limitations

There is an annual limit of $1,000,000 in total funding awards per facility under the terms of this PON. The amount of the incentives granted for beneficial electrification projects at existing buildings through the LBE Initiative will be 60% of eligible projects costs as determined by EMT. Eligible project costs may include but are not limited to: equipment, installation, and decommissioning of existing fossil fuel heating systems.

Final incentive amounts may be adjusted by the Trust at project completion as necessary to reflect as-built conditions and to maintain established incentive award funding limitations.

Scoping Audits and Technical Assistance

The Trust will provide free scoping audits at facilities where there is a clear potential for an eligible project. This scoping audit might consist of a preliminary phone screening, a utility bill review, and a site visit.

The Trust may provide technical assistance in the form of a 50% cost share for development of bid solicitation documents by architectural or engineering firms at its discretion. Bid solicitations should be coordinated with the Bureau of General Services BGS and after the Trust (or its representatives) perform an initial assessment of the host facility for eligibility of beneficial electrification and SIR.

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