Policy
Maine Policy News
Hydro-Québec’s New England Clean Energy Connect Begins Operations, Faces Early Winter Test
During the recent cold snap, power flows on the NECEC link abruptly stopped on January 24 and remained offline until January 26 after Québec restricted exports to meet higher domestic electricity demand as temperatures plunged.…
Golden secures $7.6 million in funding for Maine’s working waterfronts, other community projects in final FY2026 appropriations bills
WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) voted today for a final package of Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills that included $7.6 million for investments in working waterfronts and other community projects in Maine.
The spending “minibus” passed the House with bipartisan support, 341-88, and now goes to the Senate.
Golden won funding for the projects during negotiations over a wide-ranging spending package that funded the departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. The House has now passed all 12 appropriations bills necessary to fund the government through the fiscal year that ends October 1, 2026.
“This spending package delivers for Maine workers and families, most notably working waterfronts throughout Penobscot Bay that are the lifeblood of so many coastal communities,” Golden said. “Additional project funding will support infrastructure improvements, public works, and educational opportunities throughout the district. This kind of congressionally directed spending is only possible when Congress passes spending bills and is one reason I’ve long called for a return to regular order. I’m proud to have once again been able to deliver for Maine’s 2nd District.”
Golden won funding in appropriations for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development to support eight community projects in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, including:
- $2 million to improve the Stonington Commercial Fish Pier. Funds will be used for dredging necessary to support pier improvements and increased elevation of three feet for flood mitigation and to address climate-related sea level rise and storm surge at the Stonington fish pier.
- $1.4 million to rebuild the Town Dock in Swan’s Island. The dock is the only public access float in Burnt Coat Harbor, the working waterfront for Swan’s Island’s fishermen, and the access point for emergency responders and agencies helping citizens in times of need.
- $1.2 million to support working waterfront access at Henry Point in Jonesport. Funds will be used for infrastructure including a concrete and steel pier built atop the existing stone breakwater. The new pier will prove space for commercial boat berths. Current space constraints leave boats vulnerable to storm damage or expensive haul-out fees.
- $850,000 to expand the Fort Kent Public Works Garage. The 6,800-square foot expansion project aims to provide additional space for storing and maintaining snowblowers, plows, salt spreaders, graders and other essential vehicles and machinery.
- $850,000 to build the Mi’kmaq Environmental Laboratory. The facility will support water testing and provide education and training opportunities for Tribal youth and others interested in pursuing a career in science- and natural resource-related fields.
“The More Nuclear States, the More Nuclear Materials” Sen. King Warns as U.S. Stance Moves Towards Burden Sharing
Sen. King emphasized the global potential of nuclear proliferation as the US defense posture pivots toward cost-sharing among allies, and with it the likelihood of nuclear weapons development by allies.…
NECEC provided little juice to New England during Sunday’s storm, frigid temperatures
Hydro-Québec kept the electricity for its own customers’ needs as it faced significant demand to keep lights and heating going in its home province.
…Governor Mills Welcomes Completion of New England Clean Energy Connect Project
JANUARY 16th, 2026
Governor Mills today welcomed the completion of the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line, which will deliver affordable electricity into Maine and New England, strengthen the electric grid, reduce dependence on electricity from natural gas, and provide substantial benefits for Maine people.
The NECEC project will deliver 1,200 megawatts of renewable power from Québec to New England. The project was officially opened in a brief ceremony today in Massachusetts, which contracted to build the transmission line in 2018.
Per a 2019 agreement approved by the Maine Public Utilities Commission, operation of the NECEC will provide more than $240 million in direct benefits to Maine, of which nearly $200 million is dedicated to reducing electricity rates for Maine residents. In 2020, Governor Mills negotiated with Hydro-Québec, the electricity provider for the NECEC, for an additional $40 million in benefits for Maine ratepayers and to accelerate payments for benefits agreed upon through the 2019 agreement.
These benefits from the NECEC for Maine include tens of millions of dollars for energy efficiency upgrades, broadband expansion, economic development and education initiatives, and funding for host communities along the path of the transmission line. In addition, the project is expected to deliver $23 million in tax revenue to local communities in the first year alone.
“With power now flowing today, the NECEC project will provide substantial benefits to Maine people through electricity rate relief, funding for energy efficiency upgrades, broadband, education, and other key investments, all while strengthening our grid and without costing Maine ratepayers,” said Governor Mills. “My administration worked to ensure direct benefits for Maine through this project, in partnership with other states and regional partners, to reduce energy costs and diversify our energy supply with clean, reliable resources.”
“The completion of the NECEC project comes at a critical time, as rising natural gas prices are driving higher electricity costs across our region this winter,” said Dan Burgess, Acting Commissioner of the Maine Department of Energy Resources. “This project will provide nearly $200 million in direct electricity rate relief for Maine people while helping to suppress energy prices across the region over the long term. By delivering 1,200 megawatts of low-cost hydropower to the New England grid, the project will strengthen reliability for the region while reducing our reliance on expensive fossil fuels.”
The benefits to Maine because of this project include:
- Rate Relief:
- $140 million in electricity rate relief for Central Maine Power customers, with an additional estimated $50 million from the sale of energy certificates into Maine;
- $50 million for rate relief for low-income customers statewide;
- Heat Pumps: $15 million for heat pumps, helping Maine people lower heating costs;
- Broadband: $10 million for broadband, expanding access to high-speed internet in host communities;
- Transportation: $15 million for electric vehicle charging infrastructure;
- Community Investments:$10 million for local economic development and education in host communities.
Court Reaches Decision in ‘Maine State Chamber of Commerce v. Department of Labor
The case involved the requirement for all Maine employers to pay quarterly contributions to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program for the first quarter of 2025. The Act and the Department’s rules allow employers who offer optional private plans that provide substantially equivalent coverage for workers to be exempt from paying contributions to the Program. The Department’s rules, which set the requirements and timelines for these private plans, have been upheld.…
Maine Forest Service Urges Caution as Wildfire Danger Remains HIGH to VERY HIGH Statewide
Burn Permit Moratorium in Effect: The Maine Forest Service has temporarily suspended issuing any new burn permits to reduce the risk from escaped burns, a leading cause of wildfires in Maine. The state’s online system is shut down until conditions improve, and local Town Wardens are encouraged to withhold written burn permits until conditions improve.…
Additional Impacts to MaineCare from Proposed Federal Changes
The recently passed FFY 2025 budget reconciliation bill (the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”) contains significant MaineCare policy changes, including a mandatory work requirement provision……
More Than 30 Maine Food and Farm Businesses Awarded Grants Through Resilient Food Systems Equipment Program
Grants will support post-harvest equipment purchases that increase capacity in aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transport, wholesaling, and distribution for Maine-grown or -produced food and beverage products. Priority product categories include……
Maine CDC Celebrates Record High Immunization Rates Among School Children; Prepares for Statewide Implementation of Docket for Schools
Maine CDC announced today that more than 97 percent of school-age children have received all required vaccines……
Nine Northeast States Issue Strategic Action Plan to Explore Cost-Saving Transmission
The bipartisan Northeast States Collaborative on Interregional Transmission is a first-of-its-kind coordination effort to address gaps in transmission planning and promote interregional transmission solutions that offer significant consumer benefits……
Maine Awards $3 Million for Research to Support Farmers Impacted by PFAS
PFAS chemicals from the application of municipal sludge and other sources have impacted 90 Maine farms to varying degrees. Until the practice was banned in Maine in 2022, sludge, or biosolids from……
Opportunity for Public to Offer Comments on Paid Family Medical Leave Rules In-Person June 10
Public comment on the proposed rules for Maine’s new PFML Program can be submitted online or mail through July 7th 2024 or in-person on June 10, 2024 at 9 a.m. in the MDOL’s Frances Perkins Room.…
Maine Department of Labor Releases Report on Remote Work, New Worksites, and the Industry Structure of Jobs
The MDOL’s Center for Workforce Research and Information has released a new report documenting how remote work has impacted job trends and the industry composition of jobs. The report compares the changes in the number of jobs to the changes in the number of recorded worksites in Maine.…
Federal Government Grants State of Maine’s Request for Lease to Advance Floating Offshore Wind Research Array Site
Governor Mills released the following statement today on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)’s offer of a research lease to the State for a floating offshore wind research array in the Gulf of Maine……
Maine Farmers’ Group Announces Plans to Sue the EPA Over PFAS in Sludge
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), argues that the “lack of virtually any federal regulation of this waste to date has caused untold harm to public health and the environment,”…
Maine Department of Labor Publishes Paid Family Medical Leave Rules for Public Comment
The MDOL has published proposed rules – https://www.maine.gov/labor/docs/2024/rulemaking/12_702PFMLDraftRule.pdf for Maine’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave Program…
Governor Mills Allows National Popular Vote Legislation to Become Law Without Her Signature
Governor Janet Mills announced today that she will allow LD 1578, An Act to Adopt an Interstate Compact to Elect the President of the United States by National Popular Vote, to become law without her signature.…
LD 1578 – An Act to Adopt an Interstate Compact to Elect the President of the United States by National Popular Vote
Read the latest committee actions & public comments for LD 1578…
Attorney General Aaron M. Frey Announces $700 Million Settlement with Google over Play Store Misconduct
“The alleged conduct by Google is an outrageous market manipulation that allowed it to cash in by limiting users’ choices,” said Attorney General Frey. “Google, and other large corporations are not immune from consumer protection laws. My office and other attorneys general across the country are proud to bring Google to account for this violation of consumers’ trust.”…