Versant is installing more than 100,000 smart meters
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — Maine’s second-largest electric utility is replacing more than 100,000 electric meters at homes and small- to medium-sized businesses. Versant Power’s current meters are at the end of their service life, so Versant is using the opportunity to upgrade the tech to provide real-time data about electric usage and to help the company identify power outages. The meters utilize low-level radio frequencies, and some people have expressed health concerns. Like CMP, Versant will allow customers who are worried about the smart meters to opt out and use an analog meter for a fee.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWNS
Maine seeks to preserve downtowns with tax credit program
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine lawmakers have extended a historic preservation tax credit to try to rehabilitate properties in downtown areas. The Maine Senate voted in late April to extend the sunset date for the Maine Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit from 2025 to 2030. Supporters of the proposal said it would help with affordable housing as well as preservation of historic downtowns. The tax credit program provides incentives so businesses, property owners and developers can rehab and reuse historic buildings in the state that produce income.
Maine seeks to preserve downtowns with tax credit program
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine lawmakers have extended a historic preservation tax credit to try to rehabilitate properties in downtown areas.
The Maine Senate voted in late April to extend the sunset date for the Maine Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit from 2025 to 2030.
Supporters of the proposal said it would help with affordable housing as well as preservation of historic downtowns.
The tax credit program provides incentives so businesses, property owners and developers can rehab and reuse historic buildings in the state that produce income.
REPUBLICAN CONVENTION-MAINE
Ex-GOP Gov. LePage: Democratic Gov. Mills hurting economy
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Former Republican Gov. Paul LePage attacked the administration of Democratic Gov. Janet Mills during a speech Saturday at the Maine Republican Party’s convention in Augusta as he seeks to return for a third term. He criticized Mills for everything from her handing of the pandemic to what he said are the state’s ongoing economic woes and rising energy costs. LePage also ticked through a series of policy positions, saying he is a supporter of the Second Amendment; is a strong proponent of school choice; backs the use of voter IDs; and would work to end the state income tax.
FARM SOLAR
Solar projects to bring millions of kilowatt hours to Maine
WINDSOR, Maine (AP) — Solar energy projects on Maine farms are expected to bring millions of kilowatt hours of electricity to the state. Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree said the projects will get a boost of $10.5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program. Pingree said the projects are expected to produce more than 7 million kilowatt hours of combined electricity in their first full year of operation. One of the projects is a ground-mounted solar project in Windsor called Maxcy’s Mill Solar. The other is Waldoboro Solar, a slightly larger ground-mounted solar facility in Washington.
DOWN EAST KILLING
2 charged in woman’s killing in Down East Maine
PERRY, Maine (AP) — The Pleasant Point Police Department and the Maine State Police have charged two people with killing a woman in Perry. Officers arrested Donnell J. Dana and Kailie A. Brackett late Friday afternoon in a traffic stop. They were charged with murder in the death of the 43-year-old Kimberly Neptune, of Perry. Pleasant Point officers found her body April 21 in her home after being asked to check on her. The town of Perry abuts the Passamaquoddy Tribe’s reservation at Pleasant Point.
BOARD GAME MARATHON
Intelligence gathering: Mensa members test new board games
SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Makers of board games are seeking the smarty seal of approval at a round-the-clock event this weekend. Hundreds of intellectually gifted individuals are getting a crack at new board games at the three-day American Mensa Mind Games. Five of the 65 board games will get the “Mensa Select” seal of approval. Mensa is a social club with members who have IQs in the top 2% of the public, as judged by accepted tests. The group has more than 50,000 members in the U.S. The games are taking place at a hotel in South Portland, Maine.