Bangor Hydro Electric Company

What is Maine's Renewable Resource Fund?

Maine’s Renewable Resource Fund offers you the opportunity to contribute to the development of new renewable sources of energy. Your tax-deductible contribution is used to support our universities and communities in researching and developing new ways to produce electricity from renewable sources like wind, water, sun, wood, tides, trash-to-energy, fuel cells and geothermal energy. The Maine Technology Institute administers the fund and awards grants for various projects. It’s an innovative approach to providing power, creating jobs and protecting our environment!

What does your donation offer you and your community?

  • Help promising new technologies which use renewable resources to generate electricity come to market.
  • Invest in creating different sources of energy, to help maintain an adequate and reliable supply of electricity for the future.
  • A step toward a cleaner, healthier environment for the people of Maine.
  • Increase Maine’s ability to attract federal or private funds.

“Maine’s Renewable Resource Fund provides a catalyst for promising new energy technologies. Through voluntary contributions to the Fund, Maine Residents have the opportunity to help lead the way in promoting renewable energy sources and a cleaner environment.”
- Governor John Baldacci
How will the fund work?

If you’d like to contribute, just fill out the form and return it to your electricity company. You can make a one time donation, or choose to give a set amount each month to be added to your electric bill.

The Maine Technology Institute distributes the money as grants for research and development projects that further the development and demonstration of electricity generation from renewable resources. Potential projects can range from new technology design todemonstration applications in Maine communities. For more information, please contact the Maine Technology Institute at (207) 582-4790 or www.mainetechnology.org.

Twice a year, you’ll receive information about the Fund and a chance to check off a voluntary contribution to be added to your power bill each month. You can stop making the contribution at any time by calling your electric utility company at (207) 947-2414 or (800) 499-6600.

What projects have been funded?

Maine Technology Institute recently awarded a grant to Chewonki Foundation of Wiscasset and the Hydrogen Energy Center of Portland to build a hydrogen fuel cell demonstration system. This project is designed to promote the use of hydrogen as a storage medium for renewable energy sources.

This Fund proudly supported by:

  • Independent Energy Producers of Maine
  • League of Women Voters
  • Maine Council of Churches
  • Maine Global Climate Change
  • Maine Physicians for Social Responsibility
  • Natural Resources Council of Maine
  • Office of the Public Advocate

Sign up today and make a difference for tomorrow.