In December 2024, the Maine Governor's Energy Office (GEO) was approved for a $1.3 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy to administer a workforce development program called Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC) to grow Maine’s energy efficiency workforce. A Request for Applications (RFA) is now open for programs that advance workforce development and training in the residential energy efficiency sector. The RFA seeks to:
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Increase the number of new energy efficiency workers in Maine,
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Provide upskilling opportunities for incumbent energy efficiency workers,
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Prepare contractors for businesses growth and/or delivery of home energy efficiency and electrification rebates and programs, and
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Increase the number and availability of energy efficiency workers and contractors statewide.
Proposals are due no later than 11:59pm on September 17, 2025. Visit this page for more information and search for RFA # 202506092.
Advisory Committee
Maine's TREC program is overseen by an Energy Efficiency Workforce Advisory Committee, including members from industry, labor, support organizations, training and educational institutions, and state government. Committee members are listed below:
- Energy Efficiency Workforce Advisory Committee Members
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- Colin McCullough (All Around Home Performance)
- Chad Ellis (CCB, Inc)
- Tim Adams (EcoHeat Maine)
- Richard Burbank (Evergreen Home Performance)
- Kristie Green (Horizon Homes)
- Paul Laird (Laird's HVAC)
- Scott Libby (Royal River Heat Pumps)
- Josh Oxley (SolarLogix)
- Francis Eanes (Maine Labor Climate Council)
- Jennifer Giosia (Penquis CAP)
- Donna Kelley (Waldo CAP)
- Jackie Parisi (York County Community Action)
- Bridget Gifford (Efficiency Maine)
- Daniel Estes (Maine Department of Labor)
- DeAnna Trask (MaineHousing)
- Kelly Flagg (Associated General Contractors of Maine)
- Chris Winstead (Maine Community College System)
- Megan Dichter (Maine Department of Education)
- John Leavitt (North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters)
- Derek Armstrong (UA Local 716 Maine Plumbers and Pipefitters)
Meeting Archive
- January 10, 2024: Draft Program Framework Meeting
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On January 10, 2024, GEO hosted a public meeting to present information regarding Maine’s application and solicit stakeholder feedback. View the meeting slides here.
- May 6, 2025: Program Kickoff Meeting
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On May 6, 2025, GEO convened a meeting of the Energy Efficiency Workforce Advisory Committee to kick off the TREC program. View the meeting slides here.
Background
In 2024, GEO applied for a $1.3 million federal grant available through the Inflation Reduction Act to develop a statewide contractor training program. Maine’s application was informed by stakeholder feedback to help determine best uses of the funds based on federal regulations and guidelines as well as existing programs in Maine. The State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants program is administered by the U.S. Department of Energy. The program offers states funding to create and implement workforce development programs that prepare workers to deliver energy efficiency, electrification, and clean energy improvements, including those covered under federal energy efficiency rebate programs. Consistent with federal guidelines, states may design programs that:
- Reduce costs associated with training contractor employees
- Provide testing and certification of contractors
- Partner with nonprofits to attract and train a diverse set of local workers