• Director, RGGI, Inc. Board of Directors
• Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection

Paul Mercer grew up roaming the banks of the Penobscot River in Bucksport, Maine. He is a graduate of Maine Maritime Academy and began his working career traveling the globe as a Marine Engineer aboard US merchant vessels.

Paul has combined his experience as Principal of engineering firms in Maine with expertise in renewables, solid fuels and biomass energy systems to benefit businesses throughout North America. He has enjoyed successes such as achieving major reduction of emissions and life extension at the paper mill in Bucksport, Maine as a lead developer of the Bucksport Energy Project.

A member of the senior management team at Maine Maritime, Paul held positions as Associate Professor and Department Chair within the Engineering Department, Assistant to the President for Sustainability. He also served as Director of Facilities, Vice President of Advancement and Vice President of Operations. He was instrumental in promoting innovation and environmental initiatives while at the Academy.

As Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, Paul combines professional experience and dedication to protecting Maine’s natural resources to promote the needs of the State. Using professional and personal ethics, collaboration, open communication and common sense he will encourage innovation and businesses to support a sustainable economy.

Paul is a seventh generation Mainer and lifelong outdoorsman. He and his wife reside in Penobscot; they have two grown children and a grandchild.