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CMP grants continue to empower PEV community

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A typical PEV charging station (Courtesy photo)

AUGUSTA, Maine - Central Maine Power Co. has chosen three more nonprofit organizations to receive funding for the purchase and installation of plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging equipment. The winners will be announced Sunday at National Drive Electric Week festivities at the South Portland Community Center.

The grants are the latest in several rounds of awards designed to expand the use of electric vehicles in Maine. Since the program was launched in 2013, CMP has awarded 25 organizations nearly $210,000 to help with the purchase or lease of a PEV and/or to install charging stations. CMP's program has added 18 PEVs to Maine roads, and new charging stations are going on line in key locations around central and southern Maine.

"Our latest round of grants will put charging infrastructure in new locations, and we're especially excited to celebrate with people who are so enthusiastic about electric vehicle technology," said Sara J. Burns, president and CEO of CMP. "This new charging infrastructure represents another step toward broader adoption of electric vehicles and their associated environmental benefits across Maine."

In addition to CMP's grant program, the Iberdrola USA Foundation provided the Greater Portland Council of Governments with $50,000 in August to help various cities, towns, and businesses install PEV charging station technology. To date, this initiative has put seven new charging stations online - three in the City of Portland, and one each in Raymond, Falmouth, New Gloucester, and Windham. The Foundation expects to fund a total of 18 charging stations including additional installations in Auburn, Augusta, Bridgton, Cape Elizabeth, Freeport, Portland, Yarmouth and other communities.

CMP's support of expanded PEV charging infrastructure extends to public policy initiatives. This year, the 127th Maine Legislature enacted, with CMP's support, L.D. 593, An Act To Allow the Resale of Electricity by Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. The new law takes effect this fall and allows electric vehicle charging station hosts to recover the cost of electricity PEV operators use at their facilities.

Two Chevy Volts at CMP are among more than 80 passenger PEVs/hybrids in Iberdrola USA's fleet. The company also has 13 hybrid bucket trucks in its three utility operating companies in Maine and New York. In September of 2014, Iberdrola USA announced an agreement with the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) to spend a portion of its annual fleet acquisition budget on PEVs and equipment.

National Drive Electric Week celebration happens Sunday in South Portland

CMP is one of several Maine organizations supporting National Drive Electric Week's annual celebration this Sunday, Sept. 13, from noon to 5 p.m. at the South Portland Community Center on Nelson Road. The event will showcase many makes and models of PEVs currently on the market, with some dealers and owners offering test drives. Also on display and available for public use at no charge are on-site electric vehicle charging stations, including a Clipper Creek dual-connector Level II and Nissan DC fast charger.

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