WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) will receive $5,350,000 through the Department of Energy to enhance the performance of its tidal turbine system. ORPC was one of 10 organizations across the country to receive funding to support the development of a commercially viable marine and hydrokinetic industry. “ORPC is a global leader in hydrokinetic energy, and this grant will help accelerate the... Continue Reading »
GREENLAND – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), who is on a fact-finding mission in Greenland, released the following statement today in response to President Barack Obama’s designation of the North Woods and Waters National Monument: “Throughout the debate and discussion surrounding the national monument, I have always been concerned first and foremost with the economic wellbeing of the Katahdin Region. The question for me has been whether a designation would be a net benefit... Continue Reading »
GREENLAND – On the second day of his three day fact-finding mission, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today surveyed the growing iceberg array off the western shore of Greenland. The increasing number of icebergs is the result of warming temperatures and presents a substantial risk to maritime commercial interests that utilize the waterway. Senator King released the following video statement from aboard the Danish frigate HDMS Thetis: ***For additional pictures from the fact-finding... Continue Reading »
GREENLAND – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) arrived in Greenland for a three day fact-finding mission focused on examining the environmental and security implications of the warming Arctic climate. Upon arriving, Senator King, along with Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul F. Zukunft and Danish defense and meteorological officials, surveyed the Jacobshavn Glacier. Senator King released the following video statement from Greenland: ***For additional pictures from the trip, which... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin joined with a bicameral, bipartisan group of their colleagues today to send a letter expressing support for continued public engagement on the draft Northeast Ocean Plan – a framework to facilitate the management of the region’s ocean and coastal ecosystems. In the letter addressed to President Barack Obama, the Maine delegation and other members of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) today introduced the Energy Storage Tax Incentive and Deployment Act, bipartisan legislation that would establish investment tax credits (ITCs) for business and home use of energy storage. The proposed tax incentives are modeled on the current ITCs for solar energy and would apply to either large, grid-connected energy storage systems or to smaller battery systems for residential... Continue Reading »
SCARBOROUGH, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today applauded an announcement that a Senate Subcommittee will hold a hearing next week to consider the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act of 2016, legislation he introduced last month that seeks to protect critical U.S. energy infrastructure, like the electric grid, from potentially catastrophic cyber-attacks. The hearing follows a request from Senators King, Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) – members of the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest a total of $7,148,000 to help East Millinocket upgrade and improve its waste water treatment facility. The federal assistance, which comes in the form of $3,500,000 grant and a $3,648,000 loan, is provided through USDA’s Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. Representatives for Senator Collins and Senator King... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the Senate today passed The Energy Policy Modernization Act, a bipartisan energy bill with several provisions authored by Senator King that would support Maine’s renewable energy resources, such as biomass and hydropower, and that would empower greater personal energy independence. As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator King helped craft the legislation earlier this year,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) highlighted the work done at the University of Maine to support the forest economy and biobased industries, and emphasized the need for research and development institutions across the country to work together in support of American manufacturing and other home-grown industries. Senator King’s remarks came after a recent tour of the Katahdin region that also included... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will release the remaining $335.5 million in Fiscal Year 2016 funding through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Through this funding, Maine will receive another $3.89 million, in addition to the $34.85 million already allocated in October 2015. “LIHEAP is a critically important program that helps approximately... Continue Reading »
BRIDGTON, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Senate Climate Action Task Force, joined with representatives from Maine conservation and outdoor recreation groups for a forum at the Lakes Environmental Associate Science Center in Bridgton to highlight the impact of climate change on ice fishing in Maine. At the event titled “Fishing on Thin Ice,” Senator King emphasized the proud tradition of outdoor... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) sent a letter to Jonathan B. Jarvis, the Director of the National Park Service (NPS), urging him to visit the Katahdin region in the coming months to directly address questions, thoughts, and concerns from local residents about the possible designation of local, privately-owned land as a national monument. In his letter, Senator King also urged the Department of the Interior to focus its attention on the proposed conditions... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King applauded York-based company RTI Wave Power for being selected as one of nine finalists in a national wave energy competition held by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The Wave Energy Prize is a 20-month design-build-test competition that aims to double the energy harnessed by ocean waves. “Tidal energy is an important part of Maine’s energy future, and with innovative efforts like those at RTI Wave Power and... Continue Reading »
BETHEL, AK – Almost exactly one year after U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) first urged federal officials to modernize the way national park passes are sold, the National Park Service (NPS) today officially launched a pilot program that will make entrance passes at Acadia National Park available for sale online. Senator King, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, praised the announcement: “With the launch of this pilot program at Acadia, the national... Continue Reading »
BETHEL, AK – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) yesterday participated in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Field Hearing in Bethel, Alaska where he advocated for the development and deployment of innovative renewable energy technologies to help power rural and remote communities in Maine and across the country. The hearing followed a visit to Oscarville, Alaska, a small community on the Kuskowin River just outside of Bethel whose residents have to shoulder the burden of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced a $4.6 million investment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will support conservation efforts in Maine’s Western Mountains. The Senators, along with Congressman Bruce Poliquin, wrote a letter in support of the project which will help private landowner efforts to bolster fish and wildlife habitats in western Maine between the White Mountains in New Hampshire and Moosehead Lake. “Our... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A tripartisan biomass amendment, authored by Senator Collins and cosponsored by Senator Angus King, has been adopted unanimously as part of the Energy Policy Modernization Act, which is currently under consideration in the Senate. The amendment was also cosponsored Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Al Franken (D-MN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and James Risch (R-ID). This amendment echoes the principles outlined in a June 2015... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As some utility companies across the country attempt to discourage the growth of residential renewable energy sources that help people lower their energy bills, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) today spoke on the Senate floor in favor of an amendment they have filed to the comprehensive energy bill that would support free market competition in the energy industry and foster individual energy independence for families and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Bruce Poliquin have sent a letter to President Barack Obama regarding the possible designation of land in the Katahdin region as a national monument. The complete text of the letter can be read HERE and is available below. +++ November 20, 2015 The President The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: We understand that you are considering using your executive... Continue Reading »
