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.
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.
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.
A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue.
On March 2, Spurwink will join community partners for a special viewing of Building Hope: Ending Homelessness in Maine at the University of Southern Maine’s McGoldrick Hall.
Directed by Richard Kane and produced by Melody Lewis-Kane, the film shines a compassionate light on the realities of Maine’s homelessness crisis. Through deeply personal stories, Building Hope explores the challenges faced by unhoused individuals and families, while highlighting the hope that emerges when communities come together to create solutions. It’s been praised for its honesty, dignity, and inspiring message: change is possible when we work together.
Following the screening, a panel of local leaders and advocates will discuss the film and the ongoing effort in Maine to end homelessness. Panelists will include Katherine Rodney, Director of Spurwink’s Living Room Crisis Center; Cullen Ryan, Chief Strategic Officer at 3Rivers; Donna Wampole, Assistant Professor of Social Work at USM; and Preble Street staff. Catherine Ryder, Spurwink’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, will bring her expertise in trauma-informed care and community collaboration to the panel as the moderator.
This event is free and open to the public.
McGoldrick Center, USM Portland campus
05:00 PM – 07:30 PM on Mon, 2 Mar 2026
For filmmaker Chloé Zhao, creative life was never linear
Apple’s website leaks MacBook ‘Neo,’ which could be its new cheaper laptop
Ambassador Huckabee describes ‘best option’ for Americans looking to flee Israel
Fraud-plagued Minnesota sues Trump admin for withholding $243M in Medicaid payments
Seniors over 80 who eat specific diet may be less likely to reach 100 years old
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Fraud-plagued Minnesota sues Trump admin for withholding $243M in Medicaid payments
Is Iran expanding attacks to target energy and civilian sites in the Gulf?
Trump claims US stockpiles mean wars can be fought ‘forever’; Kristi Noem testifies before Congress – US politics live
War in the Middle East: Iran’s broad retaliation in the Gulf • FRANCE 24 English
Trump sends official notification to Congress on strikes against Iran
-
World6 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts6 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Denver, CO6 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Louisiana1 week agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Oregon4 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling
-
Florida2 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Technology1 week agoArturia’s FX Collection 6 adds two new effects and a $99 intro version
-
News1 week agoVideo: How Lunar New Year Traditions Take Root Across America