This plan, the first of its kind, advances four key objectives to improve regional resilience to power outages caused by severe storms. It is the result of an 18-month planning process including a comprehensive energy vulnerability assessment, and stakeholder engagement with representatives from local governments and industrial and commercial businesses.

Full Plan Document

Full Plan with Appendices 

Key takeaways:

1. Outage frequency has more than tripled over the past 20 years in the State of Maine.
2. The majority of weather-related outages occur due to discrete storm events that impact the entire region. In 2023, four major storms collectively accounted for 89.5% of all customer outages.
3. Total outage-related business interruption costs vary significantly from year to year. They were estimated to be approximately $6.7 million in 2022, $9.8 million in 2023 and $11.2 million in 2024.
4. Future climate shifts are expected to exacerbate current grid challenges and introduce new ones. Increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme storm events will make weather-related power outages more likely.

The plan’s four key objectives focus on reducing hazards and better managing outages when they happen. SMPDC will be incorporating plan implementation into future projects, programs and grant applications.

Check out our Mitchell Center Talk from April 6th to see an overview of the plan and a discussion of next steps!

The Southern Maine Energy Navigator Program recently received funding that allows the program to expand its technical assistance to the entire SMPDC region.

Now homeowners, landlords, and renters from all communities in our region can contact us for help with:

• Understanding the impact of various energy upgrades
• How to sequence home energy upgrades
• Determining financial incentive qualification
• Exploring local and state programs 

The Energy Navigator team is also working to update the program’s resource hub to cover a wider range of home energy topics. The resource hub contains helpful guides, overviews of upgrades, and links to additional services.

To learn more visit energynavigatorme.org, or email Kaya Williams, Project Coordinator, at kwilliams@smpdc.org.

Our Sustainability and Resilience team enjoyed participating in the annual Maine Sustainability and Water Conference in Augusta this March. Sustainability Division Director Karina Graeter and UNE North Director Cameron Wake delivered a presentation on effective collaboration across regional planning organizations, universities, and municipal governments. The talk highlighted examples such as SMPDC’s CAP Cohort project, which identified municipal needs that led to the development of the Southern Maine Energy Navigator Program. Our staff will continue to build and strengthen regional connections, creating a shared foundation for action. 

New funding through the Community Resilience Partnership was announced on March 11th, with Round 7 of both Community Action Grants and Service Provider Grants now open to support local resilience, energy, and community planning efforts across Maine.

1. Service Provider Grants: Supporting organizations that work directly with communities on planning and project development. Two tracks are available: one focused on helping communities enroll in the Community Resilience Partnership and pursue funding, and one supporting community vulnerability assessments. Applications are due May 15, 2026.
2. Community Action Grants (CAGs): Providing funding for a wide range of community-driven projects, including planning, capacity building, and implementation. The List of Community Actions provides guidance for communities on eligible grant activities and possible projects. Applications are due June 5, 2026.

Considering applying for these or other funding opportunities? Get in touch! We are here to help with project scoping, application assistance, and more. Reach out to SMPDC’s Regional Coordinator Melanie Nash at mnash@smpdc.org. 

Scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter for more funding opportunities.

Communities across Maine are invited to the Community Resilience Partnership’s Stronger Communities Summit on June 10th at the Wells Conference Center in Orono, Maine. This statewide summit will celebrate the many ways municipalities, Tribal communities, islands, and partners are taking action to improve energy efficiency, upgrade public infrastructure, and strengthen resilience. Panel discussions will cover community innovation, leveraging partnerships and funding, the often-unseen work behind resilience efforts, and how to build lasting success stories around local projects.

Registration for the Stronger Communities Summit is now open. A free virtual attendance option is also available via Zoom.

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) (LD 2112)

• CCA enables municipalities to aggregate and procure electricity supply on behalf of their residents and businesses
• The law allows Maine municipalities and groups of municipalities to establish CCA programs, letting them negotiate better rates and choose suppliers that provide higher amounts of renewable power
• Participation in CCA is voluntary. To opt in, municipalities must amend local ordinances.

View the EPA Community Choice Aggregation guide.

Plug-in Solar (LD 1730)

• "Plug-in solar" refers to portable solar panels that connect directly to a standard household outdoor outlet, generating renewable energy at home
• This law makes plug-in solar more accessible by exempting systems up to 1,200 watts from needing utility approval through an interconnection process, and establishing clear safety and installation standards
• Expected to take effect July 2026, pending finalized safety standards

View more info from the Natural Resources Council.

Climate Superfund (LD 1870)

• Directs the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to conduct the first-ever comprehensive assessment of the financial costs of climate change in the state of Maine
• Will help inform future legislation to establish a statewide “Climate Superfund” to support local community resilience and climate mitigation projects through a fee levied on fossil fuel companies responsible for climate change impacts

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) has partnered with Maine DOT on a new program for bicycle rack procurement. If your municipality or public facility needs bike racks, BCM can provide the hardware with installation and maintenance expected of the local recipient. Example eligible locations are libraries, schools, municipally owned buildings, community centers, parks, and downtown areas. Private property is not eligible. Bicycle racks will be awarded through a review process administered by BCM.

Interested in applying for a bike rack? Need assistance pursuing other transportation-related projects? Reach out to Transportation Director Dean Williams at dwilliams@smpdc.org.

Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund (MIAF) – MaineDOT

Applications due May 11

Provides scoping, design, and construction funding to help communities adapt existing critical infrastructure—such as roads, culverts, stormwater systems, and wastewater facilities—to reduce vulnerability to climate change. Learn more and apply.

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) – FEMA

Applications due June 18

Provides funding to address natural disaster risks such as wildfires, drought, hurricanes, earthquakes, extreme heat, and increased flooding to foster greater community resilience and reduce disaster suffering. View the MEMA BRIC Fact Sheet. Contact State Hazard Mitigation Officer Christine Whelan (hmagrants@maine.gov) as soon as possible if interested.

Service Provider Grants – Community Resilience Partnership

Applications due May 15

Supports organizations that assist communities with climate action, energy and resilience planning. There are two tracks: 1) Community Enrollment, enabling orgs to assist communities to enroll in the CRP and apply for future grant funds, and 2) Community Vulnerability Assessment, enabling orgs to assist communities with completing vulnerability assessments that help to further prioritize climate action projects. For more information, download the Service Provider Grant Program statement or contact Marina.Tomer@maine.gov.

Community Action Grants – Community Resilience Partnership

Applications due June 5

Provide support for two categories of climate action at the community level: 1) actions from the CRP’s List of Community Actions aligning with the strategies of Maine Won’t Wait, and 2) other projects proposed by a community that support capacity building, planning, and implementation projects. For more information, download the Community Action Grant Program statement or contact Ashley.Krulik@maine.gov.

Nature-Based Design Technical Assistance Opportunity – Community Resilience Partnership

Applications due June 19

Provides participating communities with direct support from a qualified engineering firm, who will provide a set number of hours to each community to develop 30% preliminary engineering designs for nature-based or hybrid strategies for one or more high priority public properties that are vulnerable to climate impacts. The NBD technical assistance opportunity is not a grant; participating communities will receive technical assistance at no cost. For more information, download the Nature-Based Design Technical Assistance Opportunity Program Statement or contact Casey.Zorn@maine.gov.

Piscataqua Region Environmental Planning Assessment (PREPA) Grant Program

Applications due June 16

Provides funding to support natural resources and water quality within 52 cities and towns in the Piscataqua Region Watershed in both Maine and New Hampshire, as well as watershed groups and organizations partnering with one or more municipalities in the Piscataqua Region Watershed. For more information, visit the PREPA grant FAQs or contact PREP Assistant Director Abigail Lyon (Abigail.Lyon@unh.edu). 

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) – Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF)

Applications due June 26

Assists federal, state, and local governments in the acquisition and/or development of public outdoor recreation facilities. LWCF grants can provide up to 50% of the allowable costs for approved land acquisition or development projects for public outdoor recreation. For more information, visit the DACF website or contact Mathew Henion, Outdoor Recreation Grants Specialist (Mathew.B.Henion@Maine.gov). 

Want more info on funding opportunities?

The Southern & Midcoast Resilience Coordinator Collaborative (SMRCC) compiles a comprehensive, up-to-date list of grant opportunities to support community resilience projects.

Interested in applying for funding and need guidance? We are here to help as your Regional Coordinator! Contact Melanie Nash at mnash@smpdc.org.