CMP unveils its Earth Day-friendly advancements

AUGUSTA, MAINE - As the region prepares to observe Earth Day this Saturday, Central Maine Power Company announced on Thursday that enrollment in its Energy Manager program has reached a new milestone. At the end of March, more than 63,000 customers were enrolled in the free service, which is enabled by the company's smart meters and related technology.

"Many of our customers share our commitment to the environment, and they tell us that our Energy Manager service really helps them use electricity more wisely," said Sara Burns, CMP president and CEO. "This service is just one of many ways that technology investments like smart meters are helping us deliver electricity to homes and businesses across central and southern Maine with less impact on the environment."

Energy Manager allows customers to view detailed usage data and gain a better understanding energy use in their own homes. Customers can download the data, set savings goals, and follow tips from Energy Manager and other sources to help meet those objectives.

CMP's smart meter system has also allowed the company to reduce its carbon footprint. Since completing installation of more than 600,000 smart meters and other equipment in 2012, the company has cut the number of miles traveled by an estimated 2 million per year, reducing fossil fuel use and eliminating 1,400 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The technology also helps CMP to be more efficient in service recovery following storms.

CMP is also a leader in paperless billing, with more than 200,000 of its customers - nearly 35 percent - enrolled in its eBill service, according to a press release.

Through its Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Grant Programs, CMP has awarded 25 organizations nearly $210,000 to help with the purchase or lease of a PEV and/or to install charging stations. The program raises the visibility of electric vehicle technology by creating a community of PEV users among Maine's municipal governments and non-profit agencies. In its most recent round of grants, CMP's program added 18 PEVs to Maine roads, and new charging stations have gone on line in key locations around central and southern Maine.

In addition to CMP's grant program, the Avangrid Foundation provided the Greater Portland Council of Governments with $50,000 in 2015 to help various cities, towns, and businesses install PEV charging station technology. The initiative has added charging stations in many communities across central and southern Maine.

In 2015, CMP was named an 'Environmental Champion' by Cogent Reports, the syndicated research division of Market Strategies International. Cogent's designation, based on more than 25,000 consumer performance ratings for 125 leading utilities nationwide, ranked CMP among the top three electric utilities in the eastern U.S.