October Newsletter

On September 24, 2026, The Maine Department of Energy Resources (DOER) announced that the average statewide price of heating oil hit a record high of $6.02 per gallon on September 21, topping the previous record for heating oil in Maine of $5.92 per gallon in 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Based on a standard 275-gallon oil tank, residents are now estimated to pay approximately 80% more to fill their tank to capacity than they would have one year ago, prior to the start of the Iran conflict.  

Financial assistance for home heating is available through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), administered by MaineHousing. In addition to HEAP, the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), designed to assist low-income households who are experiencing an immediate energy-related crisis, will open on November 1. This program may provide a one-time payment to a fuel vendor to help HEAP-eligible households that are facing a heating emergency.

MaineHousing is urging residents to apply for HEAP as soon as possible and to begin the process before they are out of fuel or are experiencing a heating crisis. Maine residents are also encouraged to explore the wide range of cost-saving home efficiency incentives available through Efficiency Maine, including a $500 bonus available for a limited time in addition to existing rebates for those that use heat pumps as their primary heating system. Read the full press release here.

Last week, the Maine Department of Energy Resources (DOER) released its 2026-2027 Winter Heating Guide to help Maine people lower their energy bills while staying safe and comfortable this winter. 

The Maine Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is conducting a study to examine and evaluate the system of taxation of renewable energy infrastructure, pursuant to Resolves 2025, Ch. 116, “Resolve, to Require the Governor's Energy Office to Study Taxation of Renewable Energy Infrastructure” (PDF).   

The purpose of this study is to examine and evaluate the current system of taxation of renewable energy infrastructure and possible adoption of a uniform capacity tax for renewable energy infrastructure. DOER is currently preparing the report to submit to the Maine Legislature by November 4, 2026. 

Comments are now being accepted on the draft report, as well as other broader feedback to inform the final study and recommendations. Comments may be submitted to doer@maine.gov with the subject line “Renewable Energy Tax Study” no later than 5 p.m. on October 16, 2026. 

The Maine Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is required by law to update the Maine Energy Plan every two years. The Energy Plan guides Maine’s approach to energy policy, with a focus on delivering affordable, reliable, and increasingly clean energy to all people and businesses while achieving the state's statutory energy requirements and strengthening Maine's economy.

The Department is currently seeking public input to help shape the next plan through a short online survey. Interested individuals or organizations are invited to complete this short survey to share input to inform the next plan. Responses are being accepted through October 30, 2026. 

On September 30, DOER sent a letter (PDF) notifying the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) that the Department is finalizing a program proposal and will file it in the coming weeks. DOER will notify stakeholders of the filing when it occurs. Materials associated with the program proposal development, including written comments received in response to the draft program proposal published on August 27, 2026, are available on the DOER website.