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 the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for hydroelectric projects in Maine. The Department of Energy announced $430 million for 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 the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives program 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 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.”

“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:

• Hiram Hydroelectric Project: $1,800,000
• West Buxton Hydroelectric Project: $2,400,000
• Lockwood Hydroelectric Project: $5,000,000
• Hydro-Kennebec Hydroelectric Project -Fish Passage: $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

The full list of selections can be found here.

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