Heat pumps

The rates will apply to Mainers charging electric vehicles, using heat pumps, or charging batteries at off-peak hours.

The new rate schemes are optional. Maine households and businesses can opt in if they want to participate, and they will not result in any additional costs for other ratepayers, state officials said.

Eligible customers would contact their utility to request the lower rates. The rates will apply to residential, commercial, and large business customers. Some of the rates could take effect as soon as October.

The announcement came from Gov. Janet Mills at the Maine Climate Council's first-ever conference, where hundreds gathered on Friday in Augusta.

State officials believe they’re well on their way toward a goal of installing 100,000 new heat pumps in Maine homes by 2025, but low-income households will be the toughest ones to reach.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills Tuesday announced new incentives intended to encourage more Maine homes and businesses to install energy efficient heat…

Maine is home to lots of big, beautiful old houses that are expensive to heat in the winter and to keep cool during the warmer months. It's a problem at…