What would you do with $21 million?

Posted December 21, 2017 by Neil Arnold & filed under Blog.

Maine’s share of the recent settlement with Volkswagen for emissions violations is about $21 million. While the funds come with numerous restrictions, the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) recently found itself asking just this question as staff worked with Governor’s Energy Office and Efficiency Maine Trust to put together a draft plan for how to spend the money. MaineDOT is currently accepting comments, and the deadline for submitting comments is January 15, 2018.

Clean energy on Monhegan benefits art museum

Posted September 13, 2017 by Neil Arnold & filed under In the news.

State and federal representatives, island leaders and community partners joined the Monhegan community at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 21 to celebrate the completion of a comprehensive upgrade to the island’s energy systems.
The culmination of countless hours of hard work, the project enables the community-owned Monhegan Plantation Power District to power the island with cleaner burning diesel-fired microturbines and a solar array. The new system is designed to improve reliability and safety of service and reduce generator emissions on the island.

Monhegan completes multi-year project to reduce energy costs

Posted August 28, 2017 by Neil Arnold & filed under In the news.

Monhegan Island, which has some of the highest electricity costs in the nation, completed a comprehensive upgrade of its power-generating system that includes the addition of a solar array and installation of a new, cleaner-burning diesel generator. At roughly 70 cents per kilowatt hour, the island’s electricity costs are approximately five times higher than the average residential cost in Maine, according to an analysis conducted by the Maine Public Utilities Commission based on rates that were current on Dec. 31, 2015.

Monhegan Island celebrates completion of multi-year clean energy initiative for community, art museum

Posted August 25, 2017 by Neil Arnold & filed under Press Release.

MONHEGAN ISLAND, ME — On Monday, August 21st, state and federal representatives, island leaders, and community partners joined the Monhegan community at a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of a comprehensive upgrade to the island’s energy systems. The culmination of countless hours of hard work, the project enables the community-owned Monhegan Plantation Power District to power the island with cleaner burning diesel-fired microturbines and a solar array, improving reliability and safety of service on the island.

Maine islands are getting energized about the transition to clean energy

Posted August 21, 2017 by Neil Arnold & filed under Blog.

Mainers pay some of the highest energy costs in the nation, with costs being especially high on Maine’s islands. Learn how Maine communities are developing creative approaches to address these costs and reduce reliance on expensive and polluting fuels through community-based clean energy initiatives.

Experts discuss clean energy solutions for Maine’s Islands

Posted August 3, 2017 by Neil Arnold & filed under In the news.

Maine island communities pay some of the highest energy costs in the nation, but they are also leading the way in transitioning to clean energy systems. Learn more during the talk, “Island Energy: Transitioning to a Cleaner Future,” August 9.

Island Institute recognizes energy innovator, community champion at 7th Annual Island Energy Conference

Posted May 3, 2017 by Neil Arnold & filed under Press Release.

SOUTH PORTLAND, ME – The Island Institute kicked off its seventh annual Island Energy Conference in South Portland today by recognizing two groups for their work as energy leaders and champions for Maine’s island communities. The Island Energy Innovation Award was presented to the Monhegan Plantation Power District for recent upgrades made to the island’s power station which will create cleaner emissions and incorporate renewable energy into the island grid, and the board and staff of the Swan’s Island Electric Cooperative received the Island Institute Community Champion Award for their work in securing a pathway for affordable electric power for the people of Swan’s Island and Frenchboro.

Island Institute recognizes energy innovation at annual conference

Posted May 3, 2017 by Neil Arnold & filed under In the news.

Rockland-based Island Institute kicked off its seventh annual Island Energy Conference in South Portland on April 28 by recognizing two groups for their work as energy leaders and champions for Maine’s island communities. The Island Energy Innovation Award was presented to the Monhegan Plantation Power District for recent upgrades made to the island’s power station which will create cleaner emissions and incorporate renewable energy into the island grid, and the board and staff of the Swan’s Island Electric Cooperative received the Island Institute Community Champion Award for their work in securing a pathway for affordable electric power for the people of Swan’s Island and Frenchboro.

Conference will focus on advancing energy systems on islands

Posted April 24, 2017 by Neil Arnold & filed under In the news.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and energy officials from islands throughout New England will highlight a Portland-area conference this week.
The Island Institute, a nonprofit based in Rockland, will host its annual Island Energy Conference on April 27-28.
The keynote speaker will be Tetsunari Iida, executive director of the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies. Collins will offer the welcoming address.

Island Institute energy conference set for April 27-28

Posted April 21, 2017 by Neil Arnold & filed under In the news.

By Staff / Village Soup
The Island Institute will hold its annual energy conference at Congregation Bet Ha’am, 81 Westbrook St., South Portland April 27 and 28.
The event will bring together 150 island leaders and energy experts from three countries – the United States, Japan and Denmark – and six states – Maine, Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island – to discuss common energy challenges and the resources available to address them.