Regulators set to vote on key permit for CMP’s hotly contested power line

Thursday’s vote by the Public Utilities Commission will be a key point in Central Maine Power’s effort to build the transmission line through western Maine.

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Continue Reading Regulators set to vote on key permit for CMP’s hotly contested power line

Marinas in Camden and Portland to receive $3M for infrastructure upgrades

Two Maine marinas will receive a total of $3 million through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2019 Boating Infrastructure Grant program.
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King to IRS: Stop Targeting Low-Income Maine People

Data Shows Two of Maine’s Poorest Counties Have Higher-Than-Average Audit Rates
Continue Reading King to IRS: Stop Targeting Low-Income Maine People

In Letter, Pingree Cautions USDA Secretary Against SNAP Work Requirements, Says Policy Caused Maine’s Food insecurity to Spike to 15.8 percent

Pingree noted that when the state of Maine imposed a similar policy during the LePage administration it increased the state’s food insecurity to 15.8 percent and urged USDA not to pursue this course.
Continue Reading In Letter, Pingree Cautions USDA Secretary Against SNAP Work Requirements, Says Policy Caused Maine’s Food insecurity to Spike to 15.8 percent

On House Floor, Pingree Urges Maine Tribe’s Inclusion into 2019 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today spoke on the U.S. House floor in support of H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) of 2019.
Continue Reading On House Floor, Pingree Urges Maine Tribe’s Inclusion into 2019 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act

Governor Mills Announces Federal Approval of Medicaid Expansion

Governor Janet Mills announced today that the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved Maine’s State Plan Amendments to expand Medicaid (MaineCare) under the Affordable Care Act. CMS notified the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) of the approval today.
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Opposition turns to Legislature as CMP’s $950M transmission project enters a week of hearings

On Friday, Maine Public Utilities Commission staff issued a 162-page Examiners’ Report recommending approval of Central Maine Power’s 145-mile transmission line New England Clean Energy Connect project. That review focused on public interest and public benefit standards. Reviews this week by Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Land Use Planning Commission will look more closely at environmental and land use issues.
Continue Reading Opposition turns to Legislature as CMP’s $950M transmission project enters a week of hearings

Governor Mills Signs Legislation to Restore Net Metering & Incentivize Growth of Solar Power in Maine

Gov. Mills today signed into law a bill that will incentivize long-awaited growth of the Maine’s solar industry. LD 91 An Act to Eliminate Gross Metering, sponsored by Representative Seth Berry, will reset the state’s metering policy for solar and ensure that consumers who produce electricity from solar panels will be fairly compensated for supplying excess energy back to the electric grid.
Continue Reading Governor Mills Signs Legislation to Restore Net Metering & Incentivize Growth of Solar Power in Maine

As poll shows public disapproval, foes of $1 billion CMP hydro project take fight to State House

Central Maine Power’s $1 billion proposal to deliver Quebec hydropower to Massachusetts through a western Maine corridor looks to be sailing for regulatory approval, but it is deeply unpopular, according to a new poll from opponents.
Continue Reading As poll shows public disapproval, foes of $1 billion CMP hydro project take fight to State House

Pro baseball players are turning to this Maine company for bats

The pictures on Paul Lancisi’s cellphone are a testimony to his love of baseball and his continuing connection to the game.
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Cianbro acquires Connecticut construction firm, expands Mid-Atlantic footprint

Cianbro announced today its acquisition of A/Z Corp., a Connecticut-based engineering-construction firm providing diverse industry services including design, construction, maintenance, and energy management, with a focus on technology-oriented markets.
Continue Reading Cianbro acquires Connecticut construction firm, expands Mid-Atlantic footprint

Susan Collins and Angus King announced that GPCOG has received funding for a pilot program to increase transportation access for vulnerable populations in Greater Portland.

U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine, announced that Greater Portland Council of Government has received $70,000 in federal funding for a pilot program to increase access to transportation for vulnerable populations in the Portland area.
Continue Reading Susan Collins and Angus King announced that GPCOG has received funding for a pilot program to increase transportation access for vulnerable populations in Greater Portland.

WalletHub: Maine has country’s third-biggest tax burden

That puts Maine behind only New York state, which topped the list, and Hawaii, in a tally of all 50 states. Alaska came in last overall.
Continue Reading WalletHub: Maine has country’s third-biggest tax burden

Maine treatment plants scramble to meet state’s new sludge-testing edict

Wastewater treatment plant operators across Maine are scrambling to meet a tight deadline imposed by the Mills administration to begin testing municipal sludge for so-called “forever chemicals” before the sludge can be used as fertilizer.
Continue Reading Maine treatment plants scramble to meet state’s new sludge-testing edict

New England Congressional Delegation Condemns LIHEAP Cuts

The New England Congressional Delegation issued the following statement regarding cuts to Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in New England.
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Maine will use your personal location data for transportation planning

State agencies have subscribed to a program that uses personal GPS locations to analyze traffic patterns.
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Maine dealers anxious to restore lobster trade

Both Chinese importers and Maine dealers want to see the tariffs end, in part to escape Canada’s growing influence.
Continue Reading Maine dealers anxious to restore lobster trade

Bill banning Native American mascots in public schools passes in committee

The Committee on Education and Cultural affairs voted 7-5 to recommend passing the legislation. It will now go before the House of Representatives.
Continue Reading Bill banning Native American mascots in public schools passes in committee

Bills on minimum wage stir debate in Augusta

Labor and small business representatives were in Augusta to urge lawmakers to debate several bills that would lower the minimum wage, particularly ones that would create a lower wage for teen workers.
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Mixed-use campus proposed for former Rockland factory site

The vacant lot at left is 8 Lime St. The collection of buildings on the right is 9-11 Lime St. A conceptual plan presented to the Rockland City Council last week includes redevelopment of existing buildings and construction of new buildings.
Continue Reading Mixed-use campus proposed for former Rockland factory site