Page 60 - Green Builder Sept-Oct 2019 Issue

CODE ARENA

The Latest Rules, Regulations and Codes Impacting Sustainable Construction

A Very Big (Green Jobs) Deal

Maine lawmakers are taking huge steps toward ensuring a green future.

BY MIKE COLLIGNON
HE “PINE TREE State” has had many efforts
underway to help keep the state green. Maine’s
most recent legislative session was rife with
T climate change bills. Here are the highlights:

■ LD 1282 establishes a Green New Deal within the state. It is largely
■
a jobs bill. Here are the specifics:
i. Apprenticeships—This bill is looking to create a labor force
skilled in the construction of electricity generation facilities.
The start date on the construction of any new generation CREDIT: BECKER1999/FLICKR
facilities will determine the minimum percentage of
apprentices employed on that project.
a. 10 percent apprentice requirement for projects started Going Green—finally. After months of debate among legislators and the
between 1/1/2021 and 12/31/2024 populace, Maine’s Green New Deal became law this summer.
b. 17.5 percent requirement for projects started between
1/1/2025 and 12/31/2026 The Climate Council will also convene several working groups
c. 25 percent apprentice requirement for projects that from within its membership—including a Scientific and Technical
begin on or after 1/1/2027 Working Group, a Transportation Working Group, a Coastal and
ii. Fines—Violations will be subject to a fine between $50 and Marine Working Group, and others—to focus on how the state
$200 per incident. can tackle challenges within these specific areas. In addition to
iii. Incentives—Incentives will be created for cost-effective recommending new policy and innovative strategies to reach these
electric and natural gas conservation projects tied to school emission and energy goals, the Council will update the Maine
construction. State Climate Plan every four years, and will solicit input from
iv. Solar—All new schools will conduct a competitive solicitation the public and report out progress on its goals every two years
for a power purchase agreement for solar to be installed on to the people of Maine.
the property. The solar system may not exceed the estimated
annual electricity consumption by the school or 100 kilowatts, The first Climate Action Plan is due to be submitted to the
whichever is less. legislature by Dec. 1, 2020.

■ LD 1679 creates the Maine Climate Council. The Council will develop ■ LD 658 calls for the Governor’s Office to develop a 10-year energy
■ ■
the action plan and timetable to meet the state’s greenhouse gas independence plan whereby the state “can become a net exporter of
reduction goals, to promote jobs and economic benefits for Maine energy through the development and expansion of energy generating
people in the transition to a lower carbon economy, and to support capacity within the boundaries of the state and its coastal waters,
the climate resiliency of Maine’s communities. The Climate Council energy conservation and energy efficiency at levels sufficient to offset
will consist of several department commissioners, key state leaders, the total value of the State’s domestic energy consumption across all
science and technical experts, business and non-profit leaders, sectors. This analysis must identify economic benefits to the State
municipal leaders, a tribal representative, and a representative of from becoming a net exporter and policies that would be necessary
Maine youth. It will be charged with leading Maine’s efforts to to achieve this outcome.” The state better get moving on this plan,
reduce Maine’s Greenhouse Gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030 because (per the bill) a progress report is due by Dec. 31, 2019.
and at least 80 percent by 2050, and with achieving 80 percent
renewable energy in Maine’s electricity sector—specifically energy ■ ■ LD 1494 passed in mid-June, this bill seems a bit redundant to
consumed in Maine—by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050. LD 1679. It sets the requirement of electricity sales sources from

58 GREEN BUILDER September/October 2019 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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