Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $1,950,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Our Katahdin in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Energy and Water Development appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“Our Katahdin provides an abundance of economic and employment opportunities in the Katahdin region,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would support further innovative development of renewable energy in Millinocket and the surrounding communities. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
"Our Katahdin is grateful for the support of Senator Collins to re-establish heat and power to the One North campus buildings in Millinocket. The planned combined heat and power facility would utilize groundbreaking Maine-based technology fueled by renewable, local forest biomass,” said One North Director of Mill Site Redevelopment Steve Sanders. “Funding for clean energy infrastructure on the former Great Northern Paper industrial site supports Maine's forest products industry and fosters local jobs and economic development. We appreciate the Senator's dedication to the Katahdin region.”
This funding would support Our Katahdin’s continued utilization of locally sourced biomass to heat and power a commercialized center for sustainable forest products in Millinocket. This funding builds upon the $2.5 million secured by Senator Collins in the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus to support this project.
This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY24 Energy and Water appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate. Committee consideration of legislation is a key part of regular order, which helps our government function efficiently and deliver results for the people of Maine and America.
In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $500 million for hundreds of Maine projects for FY2022 and FY2023. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.
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