This section is a draft excerpt from the upcoming 2025 Maine Community Resilience Workbook.

When outside companies seek permission to build renewable energy projects and other energy infrastructure in a community, such as utility-scale solar, wind, and electricity transmission, communities may negotiate to receive expanded benefits from the company by establishing a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA). These benefits might include monetary payments, such as profit sharing; protection of natural resources; community infrastructure improvements; or programs including local hiring and training. 

• Maine Climate Action NOW (MCAN) is collaborating with several communities to ensure that offshore wind developers work with affected communities to reach agreements.
• The Columbia University Sabin Center for Climate Change Law maintains a database of Community Benefits Agreements, which includes CBAs for the Maine towns of Osborn, Monhegan, and Norridgewock.