Most towns and cities have encouraged consumers to switch to electrified heating and transportation, but do we have the skilled labor force to make the switch?
PORTLAND, Maine — Maine, along with the federal government, provides significant incentives to convert from fossil fuel heat and transportation to electricity-based versions. Several cities and towns such as Portland, Freeport and South Portland even have a program called “Electrify Everything!”
But here’s the rub, most of these conversions require a qualified electrician to complete and according to Willis Dicentes of Bear Hill Electric there’s already more work than they can keep up with.
The increased focus on electrification means that tasks previously performed by a plumber or heating specialist now fall on electricians. Instead of plumbing a baseboard, electricians are running lines for heat pumps. And according to Efficiency Maine, the number of heat pumps rebated has grown from 20,000 in 2016 to 150,000 in 2023.
In …