HALLOWELL, Maine, April 24 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) has ordered Luke's Hardscape to pay a $1,000 penalty after the company defaulted on a damage prevention incident investigation. In an order issued April 23, 2025, the MPUC found that Luke's Hardscape failed to properly notify Dig Safe prior to excavation work in 2023, a violation of Maine law. According to the MPUC, a Notice of Enforcement Investigation (NOEI) was issued to Luke's Hardscape in June and July of 2023 via c  more

HALLOWELL, Maine, April 24 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) has issued an order finding Maine State Hardscapes dba Lukes Outdoor Services in default for multiple violations of the state's Dig Safe law. The order, dated April 23, 2025, requires the company to pay a $1,000 penalty for failing to adhere to regulations designed to protect underground facilities. According to the MPUC, the violations occurred during excavation work in 2023 and were detailed in a Notice of Enforcement   more

AUGUSTA, Maine, April 24 -- The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry issued the following news on April 23, 2025: * * * Boating Facilities Fund Available to Improve Recreational Boating Access - Grant Proposals Wanted The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Public Lands is seeking grant proposals that will result in improved recreational boating access to the waters of the State of Maine. * A pre-application site inspection mu  more

HALLOWELL, Maine, April 24 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) has officially adopted a new rule requiring all Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and dispatch centers in the state to submit annual reports detailing the costs associated with providing enhanced 9-1-1 services. The order, issued on April 23, 2025, implements recent state legislation aimed at gathering comprehensive financial data related to emergency communication services. The new rule, outlined in Chapter 6 of th  more

HALLOWELL, Maine, April 24 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) has established a $92.8 million cap on ratepayer funding for electric efficiency resources for the upcoming fiscal year 2026. This decision, issued on April 23, 2025, sets the limit for the first year of the Efficiency Maine Trust's Sixth Triennial Plan (FY 2026-2028). The funding cap, determined pursuant to the Commission's Chapter 396 rule, aligns with the state law that limits such funding to no more than 4% of total   more

HALLOWELL, Maine, April 24 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) has suspended a request from The Maine Water Company, Biddeford & Saco Division, to implement a water infrastructure surcharge. The suspension order, issued on April 23, 2025, delays the proposed surcharge, which the company sought to have effective on May 15, 2025. The Maine Water Company filed its request on April 15, 2025, under 35-A M.R.S. Sec. 6107-A(3), seeking approval for the surcharge. State law and MPUC rules r  more