Though state officials say Mainers are already struggling to pay their electric bills, the utility says the distribution rate increases for hiring and resiliency upgrades would occur as some temporary charges expire, mitigating the cost to customers.
Daniel Kool
Staff Writer
Daniel Kool is the Portland Press Herald's utilities reporter, covering electricity, gas, broadband - anything you get a bill for. He also covers the impact of tariffs on Maine and picks up the odd business story. He joined the Press Herald in 2024 as the night reporter. A graduate of Boston University, he previously covered city news, transportation and higher education for the Boston Globe. His work has also appeared in GBH News, the Boston Globe Magazine and Boston University's student newspaper, where he was the city news editor. A midwestern transplant, Daniel lives in Biddeford, where he plays with keyboards and little noise-making boxes.
Maine Republicans urge Trump administration to revoke Gulf of Maine wind leases
In a letter to federal officials, Maine Republicans applauded the termination of $600 million in offshore wind projects across the U.S. and asked for offshore leases in the Gulf of Maine to also be canceled.
Central Maine Power Co. taps longtime VP as new president
Linda Ball had worked as the utility’s vice president of customer service since 2019.
Is Maine approaching, or already in, a recession?
The chief economist at Moody’s Analytics included the state among nearly 2 dozen considered ‘in or at high risk’ of a recession, but the Maine state economist is pushing back and says employment is steady.
Offshore wind could have saved New England ratepayers millions last winter
A recent report found that projects off Massachusetts and Rhode Island could have driven down wholesale electricity costs throughout the region if they had not been delayed.
What the widespread drought could mean for Maine’s fall foliage
A state spokesperson says the weekslong dry spell affecting most of Maine could shorten the peak of leaf-peeping season and make the autumn colors less vibrant.
Lawmakers request details on Child and Family Services’ interactions with family of teen accused of killing relatives in Chelsea
Sens. Jeff Timberlake, R-Androscoggin, and Brad Farrin, R-Somerset, say a ‘series of failures’ by the department appear to have led to the slayings of a father and son found dead in their Chelsea home in June.
ICE releases Ecuadorian man Border Patrol flew from Maine to Texas
Edgar Vicente Bermeo Sicha was released from ICE custody on Saturday, one day after a federal judge in Maine ordered the agency to do so, according to a status update filed with the court Monday.
Plane that crashed at Bangor International Airport bounced off runway before striking fence
Tuesday’s preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board does not point to a specific cause for the first fatal plane crash ever reported at the airport.
Passamaquoddy Tribe wants to install hundreds of rooftop solar panels. Maine utility says it’s not allowed.
Regulators’ decision could also affect people in retirement communities and mobile home cooperatives who band together to fund solar projects.