A state law that took effect Thursday was created as a workaround to a federal ban.
Penelope Overton
Staff Writer
Penny Overton is excited to be the Portland Press Herald’s first climate reporter. Since joining the paper in 2016, she has written about Maine’s lobster and cannabis industries, covered state politics and spent a fellowship year exploring the impact of climate change on the lobster fishery with the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team. Before moving to Maine, she has covered politics, environment, casino gambling and tribal issues in Florida, Connecticut, and Arizona. Her favorite assignments allow her to introduce readers to unusual people, cultures, or subjects. When off the clock, Penny is usually getting lost in a new book at a local coffeehouse, watching foreign crime shows or planning her family’s next adventure.
Posted inBusiness
Customer outrage dominates final CMP rate hike hearing
Ratepayers urge public utilities commissioners to delay a rate hike until the utility lives up to its pledge to deal with customers’ overbilling complaints.
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Posted inBusiness, Maine, Politics
Mills comes out against ‘foolish’ federal regulations to protect right whales
The governor is directing the Department of Marine Resources to come up with an alternative to a federal plan to reduce the Maine lobster industry’s impact on endangered right whales.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
CMP’s president and owner are named as defendants in lawsuit claiming fraud
Law firms accuse Douglas Herling and Iberdrola of fraud and racketeering, opening the door to higher damages for ratepayers who were overcharged or victims of abusive collection practices.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Maine’s adult-use marijuana industry will have the strictest residency rules in the nation
With Gov. Janet Mills’ signature, Maine finally has rules for recreational marijuana market.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Account balance is zero in March; $1,500 past-due bill arrives months later
A Newcastle conveyor belt maker is turned away when trying to report an unbilled account, which is later disconnected.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Bills mount at Pittston home with just a refrigerator running
The Bergerons file a complaint with the Maine Public Utilities Commission after expenses for their weekend home surge.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Disabled retirees use blankets, garden sprayer to offset runaway bills
‘Something is wrong here,’ says Christie Decker of Wilton, who compares her Central Maine Power bill to extortion.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Carpenter tries to sell home, but utility bills spook buyers
‘I’m tired of choosing to pay my mortgage, heat or electric,’ Rob DuPaul says.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Family showers at Boys & Girls Club, forgoes electric lighting
To cut costs, the Waterville residents even decide to flush their toilets less frequently.