Maine regulators seek bids for renewable energy on PFAS-contaminated land

July 17, 2025

Read the full article by Daniel Kool (Portland Press Herald)

The Maine Public Utilities Commission is seeking to buy energy from solar, wind and other renewable sources built on farmland contaminated with PFAS, sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals.”

The commission issued a request for proposals for the sale of energy or renewable energy credits last week. It is open to certain renewable resources that began commercial operations on or after Sept. 18, 2023.

Special preference will be given to projects that are at least 90% located on agricultural land contaminated by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. The chemicals are toxic to humans, even in trace amounts, and have contaminated dozens of farms across the state.