On the Beacon podcast this week, Ben and Cate connect the seemingly disparate issues of Maine’s ferry problem, Nazi problem and drug overdose problem. Also (and thankfully), some rays of hope. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182 or by writing to [email protected] Subscribe to the podcast using…
More work and investment are needed to ensure all waters in Maine are safe for swimming, according to a new report. At least 36 beaches in the state were potentially unsafe for swimming at some point during 2022. John Rumpler, clean water director for Environment Maine, said polluted runoff and failing sewer systems are putting…
Maine’s November ballot will be busy, with eight measures for voters to consider, including a high-profile question about whether to replace the state’s embattled investor-owned utility companies, Central Maine Power and Versant, with a consumer-owned model. Last week, the Secretary of State’s Office released the order of referendum questions that Mainers will weigh in November,…
Former state senator and chief Central Maine Power antagonist Tom Saviello said this about the company in 2021, when he was campaigning against the CMP corridor: “… If you go back to when I served in the legislature, every bill, every bill, that we had in front of us that dealt with greenhouse gasses [CMP]…
Money from the corporate owners of Central Maine Power and Versant is continuing to pour into the campaign against a referendum to replace those companies with a consumer-owned utility, with two groups opposing that initiative taking in nearly $10 million dollars collectively from April through the end of June. Those funds dwarfed the money that…
Health care providers in Maine hope an influx of federal dollars to expand high-speed internet service will improve access to mental health care in Maine’s most isolated communities. The state will receive more than $270 million through the bipartisan infrastructure law to help connect the more than 75% of Mainers who currently lack access to…
A bill introduced by Gov. Janet Mills that would create visual impact standards for future offshore wind projects has passed the Maine Legislature and is on its way to her desk. Advocates are describing the amended version of the bill as “groundbreaking,” as it now includes requirements that any port facilities that are built to…
Avangrid, the parent company of Central Maine Power (CMP), reported Wednesday that it took in a net income of $881 million in 2022. That sum comes as CMP has requested a distribution-side rate increase — all while many Mainers have struggled to afford the cost of power in recent years. Avangrid increased its net income by 25% in…
AARP Maine said it is hopeful lawmakers will find common ground on issues to support older Mainers this legislative session, including establishing a paid family and medical leave policy. Surveys show more than 75% of Mainers support a plan to help those providing unpaid care to older parents or spouses while often working full-time jobs…
Central Maine Power and Versant once again ranked last in J.D. Power’s survey of residential customer satisfaction, continuing a trend of poor results by the companies in the annual study amid an effort to replace the utilities with a consumer-owned model. CMP ranked last in the East Region among large utilities, garnering a score of…