|
Machiasport considers solar streetlights to offset rising electricity costs
There might be some relief in sight for Machiasport’s soaring municipal electricity costs.
In an effort to reduce the town’s estimated $11,000 annual electric bill, the Machiasport Board of Selectmen approved seeking funding for two solar streetlights, signaling long‑term interest in alternative energy solutions.
The 2026 costs are nearly double the $6,000 Machiasport budgeted in 2020. The town has contracted with Versant Power as its electricity supplier for more than 90 years. |
|
|
| Read this story |
|
|
|
Harrington adopts ordinance prohibiting utility‑scale solar farms
Voters enacted a Solar Energy Ordinance on Monday allowing personal and commercial solar installations for on‑site use within town limits, with Planning Board approval, while prohibiting utility‑scale solar farms and any for‑profit power generation.
The vote, held during the annual town meeting at Narraguagus High School, drew overwhelming support, with no one in the 35‑person audience raising an objection.
According to the ordinance, its intent is to preserve Harrington’s rural character and “prevent industrial encroachment incompatible with community values.” |
|
|
| Read this story |
|
|
|
Maine Library Commission unveils draft rule that could restrict libraries’ access to state support
The Maine Library Commission reviewed a draft rule Monday that would impose new requirements on the state’s libraries, including annual training for library trustees.
The commission considered a different proposal late last year that would have required all libraries to have paid directors or risk losing access to interlibrary loan services and other state support. It abandoned the plan after strong pushback from Maine’s smallest libraries, which said they could not meet that and other requirements. |
|
|
| Read this story |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. You can reach Monitor Local editor Judy Meyer directly via email: judy@themainemonitor.org.
The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization that produces investigative journalism. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
