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Commentary: Nuclear Energy Is the Only Way to Achieve Maine’s Climate Goals – The Maine Wire

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Commentary: Nuclear Energy Is the Only Way to Achieve Maine’s Climate Goals – The Maine Wire


In response to a rise in climate anxiety, particularly among young voters, politicians have made numerous “climate pledges” to transition entire networks to carbon-free energy sources. These goals are noble. Whether they are realistic remains to be seen, but Maine’s legislature has a chance to make these intentions a reality — without breaking the bank for consumers.

Since Maine Gov. Janet Mills pledged to make the state carbon-neutral by 2045, consumers have seen a massive uptick in energy costs, with Mainers paying 23% more than the national average electric bill. State Rep. Reagan Paul has introduced LD 1549 in the legislature to examine whether small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) have a role to play in the state’s energy mix. Rep. Paul commented that, “There is growing interest in SMRs around the world, including from our neighbors in New Brunswick, who are investing in the technology today. [SMRs] are good for Maine ratepayers, taxpayers, grid reliability, and will protect the natural beauty of our state.” If Maine environmentalists are serious about tackling climate change and meeting the Governor’s goals, they should support it.

Maine used to host a nuclear power plant that generated 119 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity — enough for the entire state’s energy needs. The Maine Yankee Atomic Power plant in Wiscasset provided good jobs and massive tax revenue for the town, with the plant contributing 91% of the town’s tax base in 1996. Plant employees who lived locally did not have to pay for their utilities, a great perk for many Wiscasset residents. After several referendums against the plant and maintenance that became too expensive to fix, Maine Yankee was closed in 1996. Today, almost 20 percent of Wiscasset residents live below the poverty line. 

A single small modular reactor (SMR) could bring Wiscasset’s prosperity back and drive down energy costs across the state. SMRs advantages allow them to be installed at locations where sprawling nuclear plants would not be feasible, while still producing carbon-free power. A single SMR is capable of producing 300 megawatts (MW) of power and can be easily transported to the most suitable area. 

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Currently, Maine relies heavily on importing energy sources from outside the state with fossil fuels making up the highest percent of demand met by purchases from entities outside the state in 2023. In rural Maine, SMRs could be integrated into the existing power grid and provide consistent power through existing transmission lines. The controversial New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line triggered a referendum from Mainers concerned about the environmental impact from building the transmission lines. Due to SMRs being easily integrated into existing energy infrastructure, there would be no need to level forests to build transmission lines.

Critics of nuclear energy will point to the danger of nuclear waste. While the nuclear waste from Maine Yankee is still stored on site, the 542 tons of waste has never leaked into the surrounding environment or contaminated the area. Mainers have also rejected several renewable energy projects.

Mainers have already rejected offshore wind power due to the impact it will have on the lobster industry, with residents in the state’s rural interior concerned about the windmill’s impact on the natural beauty of Maine’s forests. Windmills also require transmission lines, and are bound to attract the same opposition that the NECEC did. Even solar power has its drawbacks. Efficient energy storage technology for solar energy is not feasible yet and Maine does not receive adequate amounts of sunlight year round. Wind and solar may play a role in meeting Maine’s climate goals, but in support of nuclear power.

Mainers have an opportunity to produce their own energy at home instead of relying on imports of fossil fuels and electricity from out of state. Rep. Paul’s bill is a common sense step towards addressing the state’s climate goals while reducing electricity rates for Mainers. Climate advocates should lend their full support. 





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Maine

Police warn of scam targeting sex offenders in Maine

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Police warn of scam targeting sex offenders in Maine


A letter is being sent that asks registered sex offenders to email personal information

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Maine State Police

scam letter targeting sex offenders in maine

SOURCE: Maine State Police

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State Police warn of scam targeting sex offenders in Maine

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A letter is being sent that asks registered sex offenders to email personal information

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Updated: 11:10 AM EDT Apr 8, 2026

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Maine State Police is warning of a scam that is targeting sex offenders in the state.The issue was brought to those who run the Sex Offender Registry that the scam is targeting registered people on probation in Maine. A letter is being mailed to people, claiming to be from the ‘Maine Probation Tonduary.’ The letter claims there has been a data migration error in the Records Management System and the registrant needs to email personal identifying information (PII) to an email address listed on the letter. Police say neither the Maine Sex Offender Registry nor the Maine Department of Corrections would ever send such a letter asking a person to send sensitive information in this format. If you have received such a letter, you should not email your information to the address on the letter. Instead, report it to the Maine Sex Offender Registry at 207-624-7270 or local law enforcement.

Maine State Police is warning of a scam that is targeting sex offenders in the state.

The issue was brought to those who run the Sex Offender Registry that the scam is targeting registered people on probation in Maine.

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A letter is being mailed to people, claiming to be from the ‘Maine Probation Tonduary.’ The letter claims there has been a data migration error in the Records Management System and the registrant needs to email personal identifying information (PII) to an email address listed on the letter.

scam letter targeting sex offenders in maine

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Police say neither the Maine Sex Offender Registry nor the Maine Department of Corrections would ever send such a letter asking a person to send sensitive information in this format. If you have received such a letter, you should not email your information to the address on the letter. Instead, report it to the Maine Sex Offender Registry at 207-624-7270 or local law enforcement.

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Maine

2026 Primary Election

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2026 Primary Election


Voting is the cornerstone of democracy, and in 2026 Mainers will have a lot of important decisions to make when casting their ballots — from the very top of the ticket to the bottom. On June 9, Mainers will participate in the state’s semi-open party primaries, choosing Democratic and Republican nominees for governor, as well […]



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Maine

Regular gas tops $4, premium over $5 in Maine amid severe Trump Iran threats

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Regular gas tops , premium over  in Maine amid severe Trump Iran threats


Brady Chapman fills up one of four trucks he uses for his business Wednesday at Irving Gas Station in Bethel. Regular gas was $4.09 at the station. (Rose Lincoln/Staff Writer)

Maine’s average price for regular gasoline rose to its highest point since August 2022, as the conflict in Iran continues to drive up global oil costs.

A gallon of regular gas averaged $4.03 here Tuesday, ticking up more than 6 cents overnight, according to data aggregated by motor club AAA. That price has risen 38.5% — about $1.12 — since Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel struck Iran, triggering a conflict that has since spilled into the broader Middle East.

Maine’s average price crossed the $4 threshold a week after the national average did so. The national average was up to $4.14 Tuesday, AAA data shows.

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Premium gas was up to $5.07 per gallon in Maine, topping $5 for the first time in nearly four years. Diesel, meanwhile, averaged about $5.90 per gallon Tuesday.

Collectively, those figures mark the state’s highest average gas prices since the summer of 2022, when the Russian invasion of Ukraine drove gas prices to record highs. A gallon of regular gas peaked at $5.09 that June, the highest ever recorded by AAA.

This week, Maine’s prices were the 21st highest among the 50 states and Washington, D.C., according to AAA. California, Hawaii, Washington, Nevada and Oregon all saw average prices above $5 per gallon Tuesday.

This is a developing story.

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