Central Maine Power Supports Pilot Program for Digital Inclusion and Intelligent Infrastructure

U.S. Sen. Angus King applauds selection of Maine Communities 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

AUGUSTA, Maine  May 1, 2018 Central Maine Power Company, a subsidiary of AVANGRID Inc. (NYSE:AGR), is hailing the selection of Maine communities for a national pilot program to evaluate innovative ways to integrate ultra-high-speed internet with other utility infrastructure to promote digital inclusion, sustainable resource management and economic development. Among the five community partners the Post Road Foundation has selected for the nationwide pilot program are the City of Sanford; the Old Town  Orono Fiber Corporation; and a collaboration of community groups in the Downeast region, including Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative and Downeast Broadband. Funding for the Post Road Foundation program, and related research at Harvard University, has been provided by The Rockefeller Foundation.

CMP's history of working with stakeholders to expand broadband service includes installation of fiber-optic cable under Penobscot Bay as part of a project to upgrade service to Islesboro. The energy company remains open to future collaboration with other rural communities that need better broadband access.

"Central Maine Power congratulates the Maine communities who have been selected by the Post Road Foundation to enhance the infrastructure necessary to advance Maine's rural economy, said CMP President and CEO Doug Herling. "We applaud the Post Road Foundation for its investment and look forward to working collaboratively on this important initiative."

Senator Angus King applauded the selection of the communities in Maine, saying, in part,  "These public-private partnerships will build upon efforts to close the digital divide in regions in Maine that are struggling with slow connectivity and advance innovative approaches to deploy smart fiber networks " two important steps that will strengthen Maine's economy and infrastructure."

The Post Road Foundation's non-profit, research platform bridges the gap between communities and investors by exploring ways to reduce barriers to the development, financing, and deployment of sustainable, intelligent infrastructure, particularly in places lacking 21st century communications.

For inquiries, please contact Waide Warner at waide.warner@postroadfoundation.org or Seth Hoedl at shoedl@postroadfoundation.org.

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About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with $32 billion in assets and operations in 27 states. AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving 3.2 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates 7.1 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind power, with a presence in 22 states across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,600 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.'s Sustainability Development Goals, received a Climate Development Project climate score of A-, the top score received in the utilities sector, and has been recognized for two consecutive years by Ethical Boardroom as the North American utility with the "best corporate governance practices." For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

 

About CMP: Central Maine Power Company (CMP) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. As Maine's largest electricity transmission and distribution utility, CMP serves approximately 624,000 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
gail.rice@avangrid.com
207.622.NEWS (207.622.6397)