Local Option - Property Assessed Clean Energy

Summary

Note: In 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which has authority over mortgage underwriters Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, directed these enterprises against purchasing mortgages of homes with a PACE lien due to its senior status above a mortgage. Most residential PACE activity subsided following this directive; however, some residential PACE programs are now operating with loan loss reserve funds, appropriate disclosures, or other protections meant to address FHFA's concerns. Commercial PACE programs were not directly affected by FHFA’s actions, as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do not underwrite commercial mortgages. Visit PACENation for more information about PACE financing, and for a comprehensive list of all PACE programs across the country.

Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing effectively allows property owners to borrow money to pay for energy improvements. The amount borrowed is typically repaid via a special assessment on the property over a period of years. Maine has authorized certain local governments to establish such programs, as described below. 

Maine signed PACE legislation into law in April 2010, authorizing municipalities to establish a loan program to provide financing for clean energy improvements to property owners via local ordinance. The legislation authorizes municipalities to enter into PACE agreements with property owners, provide financing, and collect PACE assessments to repay the loans. Municipalities will be able to use federal grants or other "funds available for this purpose" to establish PACE programs.

Efficiency Maine offers a variety of home energy loans to help residents pay for energy upgrades. Maine homeowners can borrow as much as $7,500 over up to 15 years with no fees and interest rates as low as 5.99% APR.

Eligibility

• Homeowners of any income (businesses are not eligible)
• Borrower must be a Maine resident
• Minimum credit score depending on the loan type
• Maximum debt-to-income ratio depending on the loan type
• No recent bankruptcies, foreclosures, or repossessions, depending on the loan type

A list of PACE eligible townships in Maine is available here. (Updated: Decemeber 2022)