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Maine has set an ambitious goal of 30,000 clean energy jobs by 2030 — and we're just over halfway there. But progress may not be as quick as hoped: between 2019 and 2023, the number of workers in the field grew by less than a thousand. Now, federal policy shifts and grant freezes could hamper momentum.

This week, Kristian Moravec looks at Maine's efforts to fill clean energy jobs across the state, and the particular push to train people to work with heat pumps. We reported it with support from INN's Rural News Network and Canary Media as one piece in a five-part series that explores how industry, state governments and education systems are training this growing workforce across the country. 

We also have reporting from Josh Keefe on a clash between lawmakers and the judicial branch over how to discipline judges, as well as updates on dam safety legislation and the ongoing debate over staffing requirements in assisted living facilities. Plus an exciting announcement: Two Report for America journalists will be joining us in July, to cover religion and local government.

Back to heat pumps: We're interested in talking to people who have used Efficiency Maine rebates to purchase or install a heat pump, heat pump water heater or some other home efficiency appliance. Is that you? If so, please fill out this brief survey. 

— Stephanie

Maine’s heat pump boom has been promising for rural workforce development. Can it last?

Maine has had success in adopting heat pumps across the state, and jobs have grown quickly — particularly in rural areas. But as the state approaches big deadlines for heat pump installation and bolstering its clean energy workforce, uncertainties lie ahead.

Read this story by Kristian Moravec

Maine lawmakers want to examine how judges are disciplined. The judicial branch says that isn’t their call: The debate in the legislature follows an ethics complaint against Maine Supreme Court Justice Catherine Connors that has yet to be resolved. Read this story by Josh Keefe

Higher staffing requirements removed from assisted living bill: The initial proposed regulations would have doubled the number of direct care workers at residential care facilities overnight. Read this story by Rose Lundy

Maine lawmakers advance dam safety legislation: One bill would bolster Maine’s dam safety agency and hold negligent dam owners accountable while the other would inject $5 million to a state fund for dam repairs. Read this story by Emmett Gartner

The Maine Monitor to welcome two Report for America reporters

Sean Scott will launch a unique beat in Maine covering religion, politics and society for The Monitor. Daniel O’Connor will report on state and local government, with a particular focus on rural communities, for both The Monitor and Bangor Daily News.

Meet our newest reporters

Have feedback or a correction to send to Stephanie McFeeters? Send it to her directly via email: stephanie@themainemonitor.org. 

Know of a story that we should be digging into? Send it to our newsroom. 

The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support.

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