Infrastructure

Maine’s infrastructure is comprehensive and business friendly and recently recognized by the US Chamber of Commerce as the best in the country.

Energy

Maine doesn’t just help businesses move forward – it helps them rise efficiently.

Our energy environment has improved dramatically in the past few years with the restructuring of the electric utility industry and the completion of two natural gas pipeline projects from Canada. In addition, Maine is developing a significant clean energy sector to harness the readily available natural resources of the state and provide consumers with cheap, clean energy. The following provides an overview of Maine’s energy infrastructure:

  • Maine is served by two investor-owned utilities: Central Maine Power (subsidiary of Iberdrola USA) and Emera Maine, in addition to a handful of municipally owned utilities (cooperatives).
  • J.D. Power and Associates recognized Central Maine Power as number one in the East for electric utility business customer satisfaction. The East Region includes all eastern seaboard states from Maine to Maryland.
  • Maine’s current Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is 30%, and currently, Maine meets or exceeds that goal.
  • Maine’s RPS will grow to 40% in 2017.
  • Maine’s RPS standards are the highest in the nation (the next highest in the nation is California, with an RPS of 33% by 2030).
  • Maine generates a larger share of its electricity from nonhydroelectric renewable resources than any other State.
  • Maine has six active wind facilities, including those located on Stetson Mountain (38 turbines and 57 megawatts); on Kibby Mountain (44 turbines and 132 megawatts); and in Mars Hill, ME with 28 turbines (42 megawatts).
  • Maine is the only New England State in which industry is the leading energy-consuming sector.
  • Maine has the highest wood and wood waste power generation capacity in the United States.

Transportation


Maine’s transportation system is designed to efficiently move people and goods both within Maine and to and from Maine. As reported in 2014 by the Maine Department of Transportation, 81.7 million tons of freight was transported to, from, within, and through Maine through a variety of modes. Maine businesses succeed because of the availability of diverse modes of transportation throughout the state and region. These modes include truck, rail, water, air, and pipeline.