Once the people of Maine realized they could save a considerable amount of money each winter by switching to a heat pump (the ability to also cool their homes in summer was an added bonus), they began installing them in record numbers. In fact, the state of Maine blew by its target of 100,000 heat pumps by 2025 two years ahead of schedule.

What is most impressive about what Maine is doing to prepare for the future is that it is moving forward with support from all political parties and industry groups. Lots of jurisdictions have similar goals but are stymied by opposition from those who feel they have been left out of the planning process. Maine has done more to build community support for its ambitious clean energy and carbon reduction initiatives and it is paying off by getting the technologies its needs built and in operation sooner.

The state of Maine has ambitious clean energy and carbon reduction goals. But more than that, it is training the workers of tomorrow.