Maine Delegation Announces $33.8 Million to Upgrade Hydropower Infrastructure

September 06, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden today announced more than $33.8 million from theBipartisan Infrastructure Lawfor hydroelectric projects in Maine. The Department of Energyannounced $430 millionfor hydropower infrastructure upgrades across 33 states, including a total of $33,801,291 for 21 projects in Maine.
Administered by the Grid Deployment Office (GDO) and funded by theBipartisan Infrastructure Law, theMaintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentivesprogram is designed to enhance existing hydropower and pumped storage facilities for capital improvements directly related to grid resilience, dam safety, and environmental improvements. Potential eligible capital improvements include improvements that enable the integration of variable resources, such as wind and solar; improvements for dam safety, such as spillway upgrades and erosion repair; and improvements in environmental conditions, such as fish passage, water quality and recreation.
“Hydropower plays a critical role in unlocking Maine’s clean energy future, and is key to increasing energy efficiency and reliability. This $33.8 million investment will not only improve grid resilience and dam safety, but will also make environmental improvements such as enhancing fish passages,”the Delegation said.“These upgrades will help preserve Maine’s natural resources while supporting thousands of jobs across our state. Thanks to the historic investments in theBipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re ensuring that hydropower remains both a reliable energy source and providing greater flexibility for achieving environmental solutions going forward.”
“As our earliest form of renewable energy generation, hydropower has reliably kept America running for almost 150 years — and the Biden-Harris Administration is ensuring these long-standing facilities can continue the steady flow of clean power,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Today’s funding will expand and modernize our hydropower fleet, while protecting thousands of American jobs.”
Hydropower currently accounts for nearly 27% of renewable electricity generation in the United States, as well as 93% of all utility-scale energy storage. However, the fleet is aging, with many facilities in need of repair and upgrades.
Funded Maine projects include:
The full list of selections can be foundhere.
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