Maine’s top utility regulators are launching a new effort to prepare Maine’s electricity supply and distribution systems for a major transformation. It’s all about accommodating the fast-arriving age of renewable energy, which is already causing some serious growing pains.
Maine Public Utilities Chairman Phil Bartlett says changes in Maine’s energy systems are gaining speed, as the effort to “decarbonize” the economy puts a new premium on power sources that don’t pollute.
“We know that this is just the very beginning of a very difficult transition that we’re going to have to make if we are going to electrify our heating and transportation sectors and if we’re going to bring on the kind of renewable resources that we’re going to need going forward,” he says.LISTEN TO THIS REPORT
Two more Mainers have died as health officials on Saturday reported 143 more coronavirus cases across the state.
The number of coronavirus cases diagnosed in the past 14 days statewide is 2,303. This is an estimation of the current number of active cases in the state, as the Maine CDC is no longer tracking recoveries for all patients. That’s down from 2,425 on Friday.
An Oxford County resident and a Waldo County resident succumbed to the virus, bringing the statewide death toll to 658.READ MORE
Officials from Central Maine Healthcare confirmed Friday the health care system is working with the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention to develop a mass vaccination site in hopes of inoculating 1,000 people a day.READ MORE
At least two people invaded a Zoom public hearing of the town’s School Reuse Committee on Thursday with suggestive comments and loud noise, forcing officials to bring the meeting offline.READ MORE
