WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

LD 1158

An Act To Expand Appliance Energy And Water Standards

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Art Bell and 5 co-sponsors

Expands Maine's energy and water efficiency standards for appliances; DEP will implement and enforce tougher rules to cut energy/water use and lower bills.

Became Law without Governor's Signature
#appliancesandequipment #enforcement #environmentalprotectiondept
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 1158

Summary — LD 1158: An Act To Expand Appliance Energy And Water Standards

Status: Became law without the Governor’s signature (June 8, 2025)
Introduced: March 20, 2025
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Subject areas: Appliances and equipment; enforcement; Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Purpose / Intent

LD 1158 expands Maine’s state standards for the energy and water performance of appliances and related equipment. The law is intended to raise minimum efficiency and water‑use requirements for covered products to reduce energy and water consumption, lower consumer utility costs over time, and support state environmental and climate goals.

Key provisions (general description)

The enacted bill, as amended by Committee Amendment “A” (H‑157), broadly does the following:
- Expands the range of appliances and equipment that are subject to Maine’s energy and water efficiency standards.
- Authorizes the Department of Environmental Protection to implement, enforce and administer those expanded standards (including rulemaking, compliance testing, and enforcement processes).
- Provides for standard statutory features commonly associated with appliance standards (e.g., effective dates for new requirements, possible exemptions, and mechanisms for coordination with federal standards and other states), as implemented through DEP rulemaking.

(Note: The printed bill text contains the specific products, technical performance metrics, timelines, and any exemptions. This summary describes the bill’s structure and intent based on the title, actions, and fiscal notes.)

Who or what is affected

  • Manufacturers and distributors of appliances and plumbing fixtures potentially covered by the expanded standards.
  • Retailers and installers selling covered products in Maine.
  • Consumers, who may see changes in available products and potential long‑term savings from reduced energy and water use.
  • The Maine Department of Environmental Protection, responsible for implementation and enforcement.

Fiscal and implementation effects

  • Fiscal notes (approved 4/24/25 and 5/21/25) estimate only a minor cost increase to Other Special Revenue Funds for DEP to implement the bill. Those costs are expected to be absorbable within the department’s existing budgeted resources.

Legislative timeline / procedural notes

  • Referred to Environment and Natural Resources (3/20/25); carried over then reported out OTP‑AM.
  • Committee Amendment “A” (H‑157) was adopted (5/21/25).
  • Passed both chambers and enacted without the Governor’s signature (6/8/25).

Where to find the full text

For precise product lists, technical standards, effective dates, and any exemptions, consult the official enrolled law or the bill text and accompanying committee report on the Maine Legislature website (search LD 1158, 132nd Legislature).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.