Maine
Maine utilities will be banned from spending ratepayer money on lobbying, advertising
Maine regulators announced Wednesday they will draft rules that prohibit utilities from billing ratepayers for spending on advertising, lobbying and political expenses and require spending disclosures to the state.
The Public Utilities Commission voted 3-0 to launch a rule-making process seeking public comment on regulations called for in state legislation enacted last year.
Workers for Northern Clearing pound stakes to mark land on an existing Central Maine Power power line corridor, that has been recently widened to make way for new utility poles, in 2021, near Bingham. Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press, file
The legislation bars utilities from passing on to ratepayers expenses for contributions or gifts to political candidates, political parties, and political or legislative committees; to a trade association, chamber of commerce or public charity; for lobbying or grassroots lobbying; or for educational expenses, unless approved by the PUC as serving a public interest.
Sen. Mike Tipping, D-Penobscot, introduced the legislation, telling fellow lawmakers he objected to YouTube advertising by Central Maine Power and “glossy” fliers mailed by Versant Power. “Ultimately, we’re the ones paying for these ads through our power bills,” he said.
Rebecca Schultz, senior advocate for climate and clean energy at the Natural Resources Council of Maine, cited spending to support a 2021 ballot measure that ultimately rejected the New England Clean Energy Connect hydropower transmission line. Supporters spent about $24 million and NextEra, owner of a New Hampshire nuclear plant that stood to lose millions of dollars from the competing transmission line, spent $20 million. It wasn’t clear how large of a donation NextEra had made until two years after the election.
Opponents of the ballot measure – political action committees associated with Avangrid, the parent company of Central Maine Power, and Hydro-Quebec – spent about $63 million. The companies stand to earn billions of dollars when the line is built. Information was reported about those lobbying costs in 2023, a year after the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled that CMP had a valid lease for the public land. And some of the costs were estimates at the time.
Schultz told lawmakers last year that companies with a “monopoly franchise with guaranteed returns in exchange for providing an essential service to Maine people should not be spending that kind of money to influence the outcome of our elections.”
Tipping said First Amendment protections for speech make it difficult to ban advertising by utilities.
And he cautioned about “some hurdles preventing a dollar-for-dollar reduction in rate increases based on money spent on advertising.”
“What we can do – far more quickly and easily – is increase transparency of how these utilities are spending money to influence Mainers and provide more information to the PUC, to (the Legislature) … and to the public about their advertising practices,” Tipping said.
Maine’s current rules governing political and advertising by utilities were last updated substantively in 1987, Schultz said. Political action committees have since proliferated and Maine’s two investor-owned utilities have gone through “various acquisitions and reorganizations” establishing “complex structures of multinational corporate ownership,” she said.
CMP, which did not support or oppose the legislation, told lawmakers last year that information about contributions by Avangrid to political action committees is publicly available. CMP also said it reports regularly to the state Ethics Commission. And it said the utility’s political and charitable contributions and goodwill advertising spending are paid for by shareholders, not ratepayers.
Versant told lawmakers that it spends less than $1 a ratepayer to support videos, audio, exhibits, bill inserts, brochures and other printed material to communicate information such as energy conservation and public safety messages.
Advertising that “may be considered promotional, political or institutional” and community spending or charitable giving is paid for by Versant’s shareholders, it said.
Versant suggested to the PUC that it approve in advance educational work that includes bill inserts, mailers and other communications. It said utilities increasingly need to inform customers about energy services, rates and other details.
CMP urged regulators to not preclude utility activities that are prudent – those that allow a utility to be reimbursed by ratepayers for various costs – and that align with state policy goals.
Maine
This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak
Are you up for a Maine food challenge, or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?
A Waterville staple, Buen Apetito has a monster burrito just waiting for someone to eat it down to the very last bite.
This thing is a beast, literally called La Bestia, and it’s definitely a mighty task for a fearless foodie.
Take on the Buen Apetito La Bestia Food Challenge in Waterville, Maine
According to Buen Apetito, if you can finish a super-sized burrito in 30 minutes or less, you’ll get the $60 meal for free, a La Bestia champion shirt, and a picture on the wall of fame. That’s not to mention the bragging rights of dominating a task few will be able to conquer.
Wondering what’s in the burrito?
The Mexican restaurant shared in a Facebook comment on a post that the burrito is filled with “grilled chicken, chorizo, and tender shredded beef or pork. Built on a layer of seasoned rice, refried beans, and French fries, it’s melted together with a shredded Mexican cheese blend and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions, green salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, creamy guacamole, and a bed of shredded lettuce all wrapped in three extra-large tortillas fused into one epic wrap.”
Let’s just say that this thing is packed full.
The first La Bestia contender took up his fork and knife in December 2025, but despite coming close, he couldn’t come out with the win.
As of March 2026, the challenge has remained undefeated. But you never know, someone is bound to come out victorious.
Just note that you can only try your hand at this food challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.
Buen Apetito Has Been a Longstanding Waterville, Maine, Restaurant
First opened in 1999, Buen Apeitito has been around for nearly 30 years.
Centralmaine.com reported that the Mexican restaurant was originally located at the Railroad Square complex off Chaplin Street before moving to 99 West River Road in 2023.
A little over a year later, in 2024, Buen Apetito shared on Facebook that it was passing on the torch to new owners, including Dalia, “the heart and soul of [the] kitchen for twenty years,” her daughter, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Shawn.
READ MORE: Famous Maine Restaurant Buen Apetito Adds Powerhouse New Owner to Crew
And it seems like not only are things still going strong, but new additions like La Bestia food challenge are only enhancing the spirit of big flavor and delicious Mexican food at the Waterville staple.
So, you think you’re up for the task of taking down a beast of a burrito at Buen Apetito? Good luck.
You Know You’re From Maine If You’ve Tried All 19 of These Foods
Here’s a number of foods associated with Maine. How many of them have you had?
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
The New York Time’s Best Restaurant Lists Feature These 7 Maine Spots
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
Maine
How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities
BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Monday’s telethon held by WABI in partnership with Penquis and Heart of Maine United Way Monday raised money for the heating of homes, something so basic, yet so significant in a state like Maine.
Danielle Hewes, Penquis contributor and volunteer, says some people might not even know that they qualify for heating assistance.
“I think there’s this misconception that you can’t get that if you’re working. Like that’s just for people on general assistance. The truth of the matter is this is for the people that are maybe not able to work, but also for the people that are working. They’re making ends meet,” she said.
For Danielle, that’s what makes events like the telethon so special: it’s making a real difference in the community with people who need the help the most.
Speaking about Penquis in particular, she said, “You learn about all of the other things they do and how they help the community and you can’t help but want to be a part of that.”
If you weren’t able to donate Monday, donations are still being accepted.
You can go to homeunitedway.org/heat.
You can also call 941-2800.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.
Maine
Arizona Sen. Gallego endorses Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Democrat Graham Platner has picked up another high-profile endorsement in his bid to flip a key Senate seat blue, marking another sign of the oyster farmer and combat veteran’s political resiliency even as he continues to face controversy throughout his campaign.
Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego announced Monday that he was backing Platner, saying that the first-time candidate “reflects the grit and independence that defines Maine.”
“Graham Platner is the kind of fighter Maine hasn’t seen in a long time, someone who tells you exactly what he thinks, doesn’t owe anything to the special interests, and wakes up every day thinking about working families,” said Gallego, who won a Senate seat in Arizona in 2024 by more than 2 points while Trump carried the state by nearly 6 points.
Platner has previously been endorsed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat.
However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has endorsed Platner’s main opponent, Maine Gov. Janet Mills.
Both Platner, 41, and Mills, 78, are hoping to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, 73, a five-term incumbent who announced last month that she was running for another term. A victory in Maine is crucial for Democrats’ efforts to take back control of the Senate. The Democratic Party needs to net four seats to retake the Senate majority, and they are aiming to do that in Maine, North Carolina, Alaska and Ohio.
READ MORE: Maine’s Graham Platner thinks voters will overlook his past to support a new type of candidate
Platner has gained traction with his anti-establishment image and economic equality message. He’s pressed forward despite controversies over old social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he recently had covered up.
Gallego is among the Democrats named as possible 2028 presidential contenders. Last fall, he stumped in New Jersey, Virginia and Florida, where he campaigned for Democrats who went on to win their elections.
“I have an immense amount of respect for him and I’m looking forward to joining him as a fellow Marine and combat infantryman in the U.S. Senate,” Platner said in a statement.
Kruesi reported from Providence, Rhode Island.
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