PROTECT Act would increase industry cybersecurity investments, support advanced technology April 30, 2021 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, announced that he has cosponsored the Protecting Resources On The Electric grid with Cybersecurity Technology (PROTECT) Act. The legislation enhances electric grid security by incentivizing electric utilities to make cybersecurity investments, as well as establishing a Department of Energy (DOE) grant and technical assistance program to deploy advanced cybersecurity technology for utilities that are not regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). In addition to Senator King, the legislation is supported by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.), James Risch (R-Idaho), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.). “The energy grid is the fundamental foundation of 21st […]

April 30, 2021 By Ramona du Houx The City of Belfast is currently working to secure a grant from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Housing Assistance Program on behalf of Developers Collaborative, a developer that is planning to construct new housing at the site of City of Belfast’s former public works facility at 115 Congress Street. “Developers Collaborative’s proposed housing development for 115 Congress Street is the current top priority for the City of Belfast, and securing this grant is one important way in which the City can support this vitally needed project,” said Belfast Mayor Eric Sanders. This federal program can award grants of up to $500,000 that can be used for the rehabilitation of occupied or vacant […]

04/21/2021  Augusta – Attorney General Aaron M. Frey and Securities Administrator Judith Shaw are warning the public of a new phone scam from a caller claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service. In this scam, the caller tells the recipient that because he had previously invested in binary options, he is now an accessory to an international drug smuggling ring and having an offshore bank account. The caller said he would need to notify the local District Attorney and the Maine Attorney General and then played what sounded like a police scanner, claiming to be having communication with the law enforcement officials via two-way radio. The caller said they could settle the matter by either having “agents” go to […]

On April 20,2021, Governor Janet Mills announced that she is seeking applications for Maine’s Aides-de-camp positions, an advisory council of military veterans who advise the governor on policies impacting Maine veterans. “As someone who comes from a military family myself, I deeply appreciate the service and sacrifice of Maine veterans and their loved ones,” said Governor Janet Mills. “Maine has the largest percentage of veterans per capita in the nation, and these Aides-camp-positions will create an important line of communication between them and state government and will support our shared efforts to improve services and opportunities for veterans across Maine. I encourage all interested veterans to apply.” Established by Maine State Statute, the governor may select not more than 11 honorary […]

By Ramona du Houx Maine State Rep. Lynn Copeland, D-Saco, introduced a bill that, if passed into law, would sign Maine onto the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ shore damage mitigation project. The measure had its public hearing before the Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Monday. “We have lost 38 homes. At a total value, the value of the homes has been over $5 million, the taxable valuation for the city of Saco has been over $3.2 million,” said Saco Mayor William Doyle during the public hearing. “That’s the amount of money we have lost in valuation from those 38 homes. In addition, the total infrastructure costs, up to 2020, was over $9 million that we spent in infrastructure and repair costs.” In […]

04/14/2021 Maine has already seen over 100 wildfires in 2021, and 2020 was a record-breaking year. Maine averages over 550 wildfires annually. At a Blaine House Ceremony today, Maine Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal presented Maine Forest Service Ranger Specialist Kent Nelson with the Silver Smokey Bear Award, the highest national honor one can receive for outstanding work and significant program impact in wildfire prevention. Ranger Nelson is one of two people to earn this national recognition in 2021. “Maine is the most heavily forested state in the country, which means that wildfire prevention is something that we must take very seriously,” said Governor Mills. “It is why Maine Forest Service Rangers, like Ranger Specialist Kent Nelson, are so important. […]

By Ramona du Houx Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, House chair of the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, introduced two measures to deter electric utilities from leaving power lines at unsafe heights and to ban misleading winter disconnection threats as part of the collections process. At a public hearing, Berry said both bills would help reduce CMP’s “shameless neglect and abuse of workers, small businesses and customers.” “They say ‘no line is safe to touch,’ but then they dangle high voltages dangerously and illegally low, close to workers and businesses,” said Rep. Berry. LD 840 would undo an exemption from liability that CMP and other electricity utilities have, but most other businesses do not. The bill stems from a 2002 […]

April auction brings in over $4 million for clean energy and energy saving measures By Ramona du Houx  Maine received $4.19 million dollars from the 51st auction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission allowances traded the first quarter of 2021. The results of the auction were announced by the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cap and trade program that reduces CO2 emissions from power plants generating more than 25 megawatts. Eleven states participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the nation’s first market-based regulatory program to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution. Participating states limit, or “cap,” CO2 emissions from power plants in order to reduce air pollution. Companies then purchase allowances at auction that permit them to emit only […]

Maine Secretary of State, voting rights advocates back proposal to modernize process AUGUSTA – Rep. Teresa S. Pierce, D-Falmouth, introduced a measure that would allow eligible Mainers to register to vote using a secure online portal during a public hearing before a legislative committee on April 5. Maine is one out of 10 states that does not offer online voter registration. “I am grateful to everyone who voiced their support for this bill during today’s public hearing,” said Rep. Pierce. “So many members of our communities would benefit from this, from aging Mainers to working parents to service members. To strengthen our democracy, we need to look at ways to improve voting access, not limit it.” LD 1126 would implement online voter registration […]

 On April 9, 2021, the Maine Children’s Alliance released the latest edition of the Maine KIDS COUNT® Data Book, the most comprehensive data on the status and well-being of children in Maine. The Maine Children’s Alliance is the KIDS COUNT® partner for Maine, a project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic downturn have created serious concerns about the immediate and long-term impacts on children and families. It has also reminded us that our health and well-being are interconnected. Now more than ever, the Maine Children’s Alliance is committed to providing data to inform policy and advocacy to support the health and well-being of children and families. In this year’s Data Book, where possible, 2020 data is […]