$33.8M will fund upgrades for hydropower sites across Maine
A total of 21 hydropower projects across Maine will share $33.8 million in new federal funds, recently announced by the U.S. Department of Energy.
The projects are among close to 300 nationwide that will receive a combined $430 million in funding and with an estimated economic impact of $2.8 billion across the country.
Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity incentives program is intended to enhance existing hydropower and pumped storage facilities for capital improvements related to grid resilience, dam safety and environmental improvements.
Eligible improvements include work that enables 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.
Maine gets about 25% of its electricity from hydropower, a renewable energy source fueled by water.
“Hydropower plays a critical role in Maine’s energy security and reliability,” members of Maine’s congressional delegation said in a joint statement.
The investment “will not only improve grid resilience and dam safety, but will also make environmental improvements such as enhancing fish passages,” the statement continued.
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, was part of the core group of 10 U.S. senators who negotiated the law, which was supported by U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine; and U.S. Reps. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine 1st District, and Jared Golden, D-Maine 2nd District. (All except for Collins are running for reelection in November.)
“Thanks to the historic investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re ensuring that hydropower remains both a reliable energy source and providing greater flexibility for achieving environmental solutions going forward.” the foursome said in its joint statement.
Maine projects and funding amounts
- Hiram Hydroelectric Project: $1,800,000
- West Buxton Hydroelectric Project: $2,400,000
- Lockwood Hydroelectric Project: $5,000,000
- Hydro-Kennebec Hydroelectric Fish Passage Project: $1,560,075
- Pejepscot Hydroelectric Project: $1,140,000
- Gulf Island Hydroelectric Project: $1,710,000
- Shawmut Hydroelectric Project: $4,800,000
- Weston Hydroelectric Project: $4,550,766
- Wyman Hydroelectric Project: $900,000
- Rumford Falls Hydroelectric Project: $392,940
- Penobscot Mills Project: $825,000
- Jay Hydro – Governor and Exciter Upgrade Project: $450,515
- Livermore Hydro – Governor and Exciter Upgrade Project: $503,284
- Otis Hydro – Governor and Exciter Upgrade Project: $953,826
- Riley Hydro – STATCOM and Capacitor Bank Installation Project: $1,234,442
- Ellsworth Hydroelectric Project: $1,800,000
- Eel Weir Project: $360,397
- Eel Weir Project: $1,592,820
- Gambo: $49,500
- Mallison Falls: $390,225
- Wallenpaupack Hydroelectric Project: $1,387,500
More information
The full list of selections is available here.
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