Democrats hold on to US House seat in Maine via ranked vote
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Democrats have held on to a swing U.S. House district in Maine. Two-term Rep. Jared Golden beat back a challenge from a former congressman via ranked choice voting for the second time in four years. Maine’s secretary of state said Wednesday that Golden won reelection over Republican Bruce Poliquin. Poliquin had held the seat from 2014 to 2018. Golden entered the ranked round trailing in 2018, but this time he began the instant runoff with a lead over Poliquin and independent candidate Tiffany Bond. During the ranked round, votes for third-place finisher Bond were redistributed to voters’ second choices.
Sustainability group pulls lobster certification over whales
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — An international nonprofit organization that sets sustainability standards for commercial fishing management has suspended a certification it awarded Maine’s lobster industry over concerns about harm to whales. Representatives for the London-based Marine Stewardship Council said Wednesday that the suspension of the Gulf of Maine lobster fishery’s certificate will go into effect on Dec. 15. MSC’s decision to take away its certification from the U.S. lobster fishery represents the second time a sustainability organization has downgraded the industry’s status this year. Seafood Watch of California placed the fishery on a red list in late summer.
Maine PUC approves rate increase for CMP, Versant customers
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The new year is going to bring higher electric rates for customers of Maine’s two largest utilities. The Maine Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday approved standard offer bids that will increase bills by 26% — or about $32 — a month for a typical Central Maine Power residential customer, effective Jan. 1. The PUC also approved new standard offer rates for Versant residential customers on Wednesday and Thursday. The commission cited growing natural gas costs for the painful rate increases that come at a time of rising inflation.