. Governor Mills has made combatting climate change and supporting renewable energy a top priority of her administration. Burgess will help lead those efforts.

by Dan McKay

yesterday

PUBLIC HEARING: Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 211

Governor Mills Taps Energy Expert Dan Burgess to Lead Governor’s Energy Office

March 4, 2019

Photo of Dan BurgessGovernor Janet Mills announced today she has selected leading energy expert and Maine native Dan Burgess to direct the Governor’s Energy Office.

“Using innovative approaches to address climate change and reduce Maine’s carbon footprint is a top priority of my Administration. Dan Burgess is an experienced, highly-qualified leader on state energy policies. I am excited to welcome him to the Governor’s Energy Office to work together to chart a path to Maine’s clean energy future,” said Governor Mills. “Additionally, I am happy to welcome Dan, a native Mainer, and his family home once again.”

“Under the leadership of Governor Mills, Maine’s clean energy future is bright and I am honored to have the opportunity to serve in this role,” said Dan Burgess. “I look forward to working collaboratively to address climate change head on by advancing energy policies that will benefit Maine’s environment and economy.”

The Governor’s Energy Office is responsible for planning and coordinating state energy policy. The Director of the Governor’s Energy Office serves as the primary energy policy advisor to the Governor. Governor Mills has made combatting climate change and supporting renewable energy a top priority of her administration. Burgess will help lead those efforts.

Dan Burgess, 36, grew up on what was then a small dairy farm in Newport, Maine. The farm is now a solar-powered Christmas tree farm. Burgess has spent the last eight years working to advance clean energy and climate policy in the administrations of both current Republican Governor Charlie Baker and Democratic former Governor Deval Patrick. Most recently Burgess served as Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and prior to that as Acting Commissioner. Previously he served as the Legislative Director for Energy for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Burgess has a business degree from the University of Maine Orono as well as a masters in Public Administration from Northeastern University. In addition, Burgess spent five years in the aerospace and software industries and worked on President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. Dan will return to Maine with his wife, Rachael, and their daughter, Lucille

132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE

NOTICE OF CONFIRMATION HEARING

 PUBLIC HEARING: Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 211

JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY

 

Senator Mark W. Lawrence, Senate Chair

Representative Melanie Sachs, House Chair

 

 

POSITION: Commisioner of Energy Resources

NOMINEE: Mr. Daniel Burgess of Falmouth

 

PUBLIC HEARING: Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 211

 

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

 

              The Commissioner serves as chief executive officer of the Department of Energy Resources, which has responsibilities relating to planning, development and implementation of policies, and establishment of programs designed to ensure all households, communities and businesses in the State have access to affordable, reliable and resilient energy supply to meet energy demand, address energy burdens and support economic development while supporting the achievement of the greenhouse gas reduction obligations and climate policies pursuant to Title 38, section 576-A and section 577, subsection 1 and the renewable energy goals established in section 3210, subsection 1-A. The department, established in PL 2025, c. 476, is designated as the energy office for the state.

              The commissioner is responsible for the execution of the duties of the department and shall advise the Governor and state agencies on matters related to energy; serve as a member of the Efficiency Maine Trust Board, established under Title 5, section 12004-G, subsection 10-C; in collaboration with the relevant state agencies, coordinate state energy policy and actively foster cooperation with the Efficiency Maine Trust, established in chapter 97, and the Maine State Housing Authority, established in Title 30-A, chapter 201; and represent the State’s interests in relevant regional energy organizations and forums to coordinate energy policy. The Commissioner is appointed by the Governor and subject to review by the Joint Standing Committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy matters and confirmation by the Senate.

               

 

 

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: Written comments relevant to qualifications of the nominee may be filed with the Legislative Information Office by 9 am on the day of the hearing.

CONTACT PERSON: Casey Milligan, Legislative Information Office, 100 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0100; 207-287-1692

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