Central Maine Power Joins Maine Audubon as it Unveils Electric Vehicle Charging Station

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Falmouth, Maine, September 26, 2016 Leaders from Central Maine Power (CMP), a subsidiary of AVANGRID Inc. (NYSE: AGR), and Maine Audubon gathered today to celebrate the installation of a new, solar-powered electric vehicle charging station at the Gilsland Farms Sanctuary in Falmouth, Maine. The charging station was funded with a grant from CMP's Electric Vehicle Program.

 

"We have always felt that our responsibilities go beyond providing safe, reliable power delivery to Maine homes and businesses, said Sara J. Burns, president and CEO of Central Maine Power. We want to be a good neighbor in the communities we serve, and that includes showing respect for the environment and minimizing our carbon footprint as we do our work."

 

Ole Amundsen, Maine Audubon's executive director, noted that the new charging station fits in well at the sanctuary.
"People come to Maine Audubon's sanctuaries to escape the hustle and bustle, experience nature, and learn about Maine's wildlife and habitat, added Ole Amundsen, Maine Audubon's executive director. This electric vehicle charging station underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship. It also adds a new dimension to something visitors to Gilsland Farm have long understood: it is the perfect place to recharge."

CMP's grant program has awarded more than $200,000 to 24 organizations across central and southern Maine. The program put 18 new EVs on the road and added charging stations in numerous locations across southern Maine, including DC quick charge stations at the Fore Street parking garage in Portland and the South Portland Community Center.

 

Burns pointed out that as it offered help to local companies and non-profits, the utility added many EVs and hybrids to its own fleet. They include two Chevy Volts, an all-electric Ford Transit Connect minivan, 13 hybrid bucket trucks, and eight Ford Escape hybrids. Additional EVs and hybrids are in use at the company's New York affiliates.

 

"The Volts are popular for their quiet operation, ample cargo space, and the many features that came standard on the car, she said. The trucks have booms and buckets that run on electric power, and crews can shut down the engines once they get to the job site. This saves fuel and improves their work environment by eliminating idling noise and exhaust fumes."

 

Burns noted that the commitment to EVs and other sustainable practices is shared at all levels across the company.

 

CMP and our affiliates around the world are leaders in promotion of EV technology, renewable generation, and the adoption of sustainable practices, she said. We're proud to be part of a corporation that has such a great record of environmental responsibility.  Our EV program is just one of many ways we can demonstrate that commitment.

 

 Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

 

Pictured in front of the new electric vehicle charging station at Maine Audubon's Gilsland Farm Sanctuary are CMP President and CEO Sara Burns, Maine Audubon Executive Director Ole Amundsen III, and Maine Audubon Director of Development Bryce Hach, who plugs in his Ford CMax EV. Please e-mail gail.rice@avangrid.com.for a high-resolution version of the photo.

 

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a diversified energy and utility company with more than
$30 billion in assets and operations in 25 states. The company operates regulated utilities and electricity generation through two primary lines of business. Avangrid Networks includes eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving
3.1 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables operates 6.3 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind power, in states across the United States. AVANGRID employs 7,000 people.
The company was formed by a merger between Iberdrola USA and UIL Holdings Corporation in 2015. IBERDROLA S.A. (Madrid: IBE), a worldwide leader in the energy industry, owns 81.5% of AVANGRID. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

 

About CMP: Central Maine Power Company (CMP) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR). As Maine's largest electricity transmission and distribution utility, CMP serves 620,000 homes and businesses, representing about 80% of Maine's customer base. J.D. Power and Associates has ranked the company #1 in customer satisfaction seven times. For more information, visit www.cmpco.com.
 

Media Contact:

Gail Rice
Central Maine Power
gail.rice@avangrid.com
207.622.NEWS (207.622.6397)