Resolve, to Establish the Maine Home Energy Navigator and
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1967
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: KESSLER

Legislative Document
No. 1967
H.P. 1311
House of Representatives, May 13, 2025
Resolve, to Establish the Maine Home Energy Navigator and 
Coaching Pilot Program
Reference to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative KESSLER of South Portland.
Sec. 1.  Maine Home Energy Navigator and Coaching Pilot Program 
established. Resolved:  That the Maine Office of Community Affairs, referred to in this 
resolve as "the office," in consultation with the Efficiency Maine Trust, the Maine State 
Housing Authority and the Governor's Energy Office, shall establish the Maine Home 
Energy Navigator and Coaching Pilot Program, referred to in this resolve as "the pilot 
program."  The pilot program must be designed as a 2-year program to support energy 
efficiency for residential properties, enhance consumer protection and expand access to 
energy assistance programs, particularly for low-income and underserved communities.  
The office shall act as the administrator of the pilot program.
Sec. 2.  Pilot program design and objectives. Resolved:  That the pilot program 
must be designed to select between 2 and 5 municipal or nonprofit organizations through a 
competitive solicitation process to provide community-based energy coaching services to 
residential consumers as described by this section.  Coaching services offered through the 
pilot program must be designed to: 
1. Provide homeowners with in-person or remote home energy assessments. 
Assessments must be conducted in accordance with standards developed by the Building 
Performance Institute to identify energy-saving opportunities and assess current home 
performance. 
The pilot program must require that the individual performing an inspection pursuant to 
this subsection is trained and certified by the Building Performance Institute or another 
similar and nationally recognized credentialing organization to ensure accuracy and 
reliability in assessments; 
2. If applicable, provide homeowners with an independent, 3rd-party analysis of 
contractor recommendations to verify the validity, cost-effectiveness and expected energy 
savings of proposed improvements;
3. Provide education and guidance to homeowners, including:
A. Education on the benefits of energy efficiency improvements and how to interpret 
energy assessment reports; 
B. Helping homeowners, especially those in low-income and underserved 
communities, to understand and navigate options to meet their home energy needs 
affordably; 
C. Advising homeowners on accessing available grants, rebates, financing and other 
assistance programs and incentives to meet their home energy needs; 
D. Assisting homeowners in identifying and prioritizing energy-saving opportunities; 
E. Guiding homeowners in finding and selecting qualified contractors, including 
certified energy auditors or installers; and
F. Helping homeowners review and analyze contractor recommendations regarding 
cost, payment and other relevant factors; and
4. Engage in community outreach efforts to improve the accessibility and inclusivity 
of energy efficiency programs in this State.  In pursuit of these efforts, the pilot program 
must work with community-based organizations and tribal governments to ensure that 
outreach efforts reach underserved communities in this State. 
Sec. 3.  Funding. Resolved:  That the office shall use existing funds as available 
and seek additional funding sources, including federal grants and private partnerships, to 
support the pilot program.  Financial support may be provided to nonprofit organizations 
selected to participate in the pilot program for the direct costs of energy coaching.  Up to 
20% of the financial support provided to a nonprofit organization under this subsection 
may be used for indirect costs associated with energy coaching.  The office may also 
provide in-kind support, such as technical assistance and educational materials, to nonprofit 
organizations selected to participate in the pilot program.  The office may coordinate with 
other state agencies, nonprofit organizations, community organizations and tribal 
governments to maximize the pilot program's reach and effectiveness.
Sec. 4.  Report. Resolved:  That the office shall submit a comprehensive report on 
the pilot program to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
energy and utilities matters by June 30, 2027.  The report must include, at a minimum: 
1. The number of homeowners served by the pilot program; 
2. The number of homeowners served by the pilot program who have completed or are 
in the process of implementing energy upgrades in their homes; 
3. The types and number of energy efficiency upgrades installed; 
4. Estimates of energy saved as a result of energy efficiency upgrades installed under 
the pilot program, measured by quantity and cost of energy saved over 20 years; 
5. Information concerning the income of the households served under the pilot 
program; 
6. Consumer feedback;
7. A summary of outreach efforts to underserved communities; 
8. A detailed summary of pilot program costs, including the total cost of the pilot 
program and a breakdown of pilot program costs expended: 
A. By each organization selected for participation in the pilot program; 
B. Per community served; 
C. Per home for which a homeowner received coaching services; and
D. Per home upgraded after participating in the pilot program; 
9. An analysis of costs, benefits, opportunities and challenges associated with the 
potential expansion of the pilot program statewide; and
10. Recommendations for pilot program continuation, expansion, modification or 
related policy changes.
Sec. 5.  Implementation. Resolved:  That the pilot program must commence no 
later than October 1, 2025.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Maine Office of Community Affairs to establish the Maine 
Home Energy Navigator and Coaching Pilot Program to support energy efficiency of 
residential properties, enhance consumer protection and expand access to energy assistance 
programs, particularly for low-income and underserved communities.  The pilot program 
will perform in-person and remote home energy assessments to identify energy-saving 
opportunities and assess current home performance and, if applicable, provide an 
independent, 3rd-party analysis of contractor recommendations; educate homeowners 
about the benefits of energy efficiency improvements; help low-income homeowners and 
homeowners in underserved communities understand and navigate their options to 
affordably meet their home energy needs; and engage in community outreach efforts to 
improve the accessibility and inclusivity of energy efficiency programs in this State.  The 
pilot program must commence no later than October 1, 2025.
The resolve requires the Maine Office of Community Affairs to submit by June 30, 
2027 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy and 
utilities matters a report including a summary of the pilot program's outcomes and any 
recommendations for continuing, expanding or modifying the pilot program.
The Maine Office of Community Affairs is required to use existing funds to support 
the pilot program and may seek additional funding from various sources to support the pilot 
program's implementation.  Financial support may be provided to nonprofit organizations 
selected to participate in the pilot program for the direct costs of energy coaching, and up 
to 20% of the financial support may be used for indirect costs associated with energy 
coaching.  The Maine Office of Community Affairs may also provide in-kind support, such 
as technical assistance and educational materials, to nonprofit organizations selected to 
participate in the pilot program.