Participants at a Women Building Maine building code and passive construction training session, hosted by passivhausMAINE. Submitted photo

The nonprofit group passivhausMAINE, which promotes sustainable and passive building throughout the state, is wrapping up its statewide, workforce development training series with stops in Portland, Farmington, Bangor and the mid-coast.

These training events are the result of a collaboration between passivhausMAINE and the Governor’s Energy Office, aimed at equipping Maine builders with the expertise needed to reduce the carbon footprint of both new and existing construction. As one of nine organizations across the state to secure a competitive grant award, passivhausMAINE will tap into its network of experts with knowledge of Maine’s building codes and passive building principles to share with the state’s construction industry, according to a news release from Max Mogensen with passivhauseMAINE.

In 2021, Maine implemented its most stringent building code yet, incorporating new energy efficiency standards. These updates to the code have further driven state officials to seek new training opportunities.

“Our builder and designer trainings were a perfect fit for the Clean Energy Partnership,” said passivhausMAINE director Naomi Beal. “We’ve had a strong response from people who want to be part of the climate solution and are seeking new knowledge to better understand passive design and build principles. Our expertise will help builders prepare for construction practices that support a low-carbon future and low-carbon options for homeowners, an absolute necessity in the fight to reduce Maine’s carbon emissions.”

The training events follow several curricula, including low-carbon components and installation, retrofitting Maine homes for high efficiency, and understanding Maine’s newest building codes and how they relate to the state’s long-term goals around housing and climate change.

Now through December, full-day sessions are planned around Maine as the group concludes their 2024 calendar schedule. The $25 events run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with lunch included, and typically involve hands-on demonstrations as well as home testing, tutorials and Q and A sessions from experts, like code enforcement officers and passive home builders and consultants.

“This has been a year of growth and travel for our training crew,” said Randy Rand, passivhausMAINE’s training director. “From our first session in January, a Women Building Maine builder code training in Freeport, to our recent day-long event in my home of Orono, we’ve been all over the state this year.”

In 2024, the group held training events in Fort Kent, Wells, Freeport, Portland, Orono and more, in addition to virtual events.

“We try to make these events accessible both in terms of location and cost. It’s how we’re trying to get these skills and methods in the minds and hands of builders everywhere in Maine, which we’re going to need to do to meet Maine’s future housing needs,” said Beal.

Upcoming Meeting Maine’s Energy Code sessions:

Bangor — 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 10, Eastern Maine Community College, Hogan Road, room 315

Farmington — 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 1, to be determined

Portland — 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 22, to be determined

Mid-coast: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 3, to be determined

For more information about any training sessions visit passivhausmaine.org/trainings.

Check out other upcoming area events!