Central Maine Power

The vast majority of voters approved the law in November 2023 as a way to limit foreign influence in state elections. But two federal courts have now said the restrictions on campaign spending and contributions likely violate the free speech rights of U.S. companies with foreign shareholders.

The federal grant will help CMP and Versant connect more renewable energy sources.

The city asked Central Maine Power to study the feasibility of creating a transmission system that would allow 3 cruise ships to get power off the grid and shut down their engines while in port.

The case focuses on the constitutionality of a year-old law, passed by an overwhelming majority of Maine voters, that prohibits companies that are partially owned by foreign governments from spending on referendum campaigns.

Central Maine Power’s parent company Avangrid is asking Maine regulators to waive a required approval for an acquisition effort by Spain-based Iberdrola.

State utility regulators approved a rate increase of more than $10 a month, or just over $9 for CMP customers who chose the standard offer price.

The added cost would be paid for through rate increases, following multiple major storms last year.

The public advocate argued that the utility's storm restoration costs in 2022 were "excessive" and "imprudent," and believes that regulators should prohibit CMP from recovering about $53 million from ratepayers.

The Conservation Law Foundation said the proposal for a statewide, consumer-owned electric utility would create too much uncertainty at a time when Maine must move aggressively to address the climate crisis.

Critics of the Pine Tree Power campaign say the transition to a statewide public electric utility is impractical. But it has been done elsewhere.