Issuu

MEMA

MAG FALL 2026

ADVOCACY, LEADERSHIP, & EDUCATION FOR MAINE’ S ENERGY MARKETERS

PAGE 14

Maine's Energy Workforce In Focus

+ The Election Ahead

MTEC's 2027 Schedule And More!

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CONTENTS

FALL 2026•Volume 10•Issue 3

From the Desk of Charlie Summers

Our Team & Board of Directors

At the Front: Does Self-Insurance Still Add Up?

MEMA News: New Members

Event Recap: J. Garrie Murray Golf Classic

MTEC's 2027 Schedule

Maine's Energy Workforce In Focus: Senator Susan Collins visits MTEC

Summer Tours Give Students a Hands-On Look at Careers in the Trades

The Election Ahead: What Maine’s Choices Mean for Energy, Affordability and MEMA

23 MEMA MAG is a quarterly magazine designed to engage and communicate with members with useful, timely, and memberrelated content. MEMA MAG will be published four times a year. Do you have a suggestion for MEMA MAG? Would you like to ADVERTISE? Contact Meghan Sylvester, Communications & Marketing Specialist at MEMA. Email her at msylvester@ maineenergymarketers.com or call 207-729-5298. Copyright 2026 Maine Energy Marketers Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission, in writing, from MEMA and/or the publisher. Printed in Maine, USA. maineenergymarketers.com

FROM THE DESK OF

Busy Times at MEMA/MTEC Our members are heading into one of the most important—and demanding—times of the year. As Maine’s heating season approaches, the men and women of our industry are preparing to serve their customers, keep homes and businesses warm, manage rising costs and uncertainty, and meet the challenges that come with another Maine winter. At MEMA/MTEC, our focus is clear: to support you, advocate for you, and make sure our industry has the resources and voice it needs to succeed. There is a lot happening at MEMA/MTEC as we prepare for the months ahead. On September 3rd, we were proud to welcome Senator Susan Collins to MEMA/MTEC in Brunswick (see page 14). Senator Collins saw firsthand the outstanding education MTEC provides and the important role it plays in preparing Maine’s workforce and strengthening our economy. She met with students and staff and spoke with many MEMA Members who came out to welcome her. Senator Collins also spoke about the importance of the skilled trades and Maine’s liquid fuel industry. She highlighted her work with Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire to fully fund the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA), and the importance of getting NORA reauthorized so it can continue its mission “to improve the efficiency, safety, and environmental performance of liquid fuel heating systems through research, education, and consumer outreach.” She also met with members of the press covering her visit. It was a tremendous day for MEMA/MTEC. A special thank-you to Mike Estes for helping lead the tour and to everyone who helped make Senator Collins’ visit such a success. We look forward to continuing to work with her in the years ahead.

MEMA MAG | Fall 2026

Meanwhile, your MEMA team is preparing for the upcoming Legislative Session and for the new leadership Maine voters will choose in November. We are already laying the groundwork to educate new legislators, build relationships, and ensure our members’ priorities are front and center in Augusta. The months ahead will not be easy. Geopolitical uncertainty is affecting our country, our state, and our industry, and the coming winter may present significant challenges for Maine families, businesses, and our members. Your MEMA/MTEC team will be working tirelessly on your behalf. Maine Gets Through Winter Together! Best,

Charlie

MEET OUR TEAM

CHARLIE SUMMERS

MEGAN DIVER

PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

DAVID CUPKA MTEC DEAN

HANNAH ESTES BUSINESS MANAGER

RICK KENNY LEAD MTEC INSTRUCTOR

SARAH NADEAU INSURANCE & OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

PAUL SPAULDING

MEGHAN SYLVESTER

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

COLLEEN DECKER

MTEC INSTRUCTOR

ADMIN ASSISTANT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CARTER VAILLANCOURT

CASEY CRAMTON

MATT POOLE

DAIGLE OIL CO.

DEAD RIVER CO.

COLBY & GALE

CHAIR OF THE BOARD

EXECUTIVE BOARD

VICE CHAIR

ROBERT SHIBLEY......................................BOB’S CASH FUEL MATT POOLE........................................................COLBY & GALE ROGER ARSENAULT.........................COMMUNITY ENERGY MICHAEL MCCORMACK................DIRECTOR EMERITUS CARTER VAILLANCOURT.............DAIGLE OIL COMPANY CASEY CRAMTON...........................DEAD RIVER COMPANY JEFF WEBB....................................EASTERN PROPANE & OIL MICHAEL ESTES................................ESTES OIL & PROPANE CARRIE TOMFORDE...............................................IRVING OIL NATE BAKER............................................RH FOSTER ENERGY TIM HEUTZ.......................................................RINALDI ENERGY MARK ST.GERMAIN...............................................ST.GERMAIN JEFF STANTON..........................SUPERIOR PLUS PROPANE

TREASURER

ASSOCIATION BOARD

JAMIE ROBINSON................................A.E. ROBINSON OIL CO. DAVID BABCOCK.................ADAMS & FOGG OIL EQUIP, CO. PAM GIORDANO.............................................CETANE ASSOCIATES PETER BUOTTE....................COMMUNITY ENERGY CO. - ALT. JIM PIKE................................................................ENERGY KINETICS BRIAN HOLMES.........................GLOBAL PETROLEUM CORP. JUDY DELANEY................GLOBAL PETROLEUM CORP.- ALT. TOM SCHWARM..................................GOULD TECHNOLOGIES KEITH FINLEY.............................................KEITH’S METER SERVICE

GREG JONES................................................................MARITIME ENERGY STEVE NESS....................................................NESS OIL COMPANY STEVE TEMPLE...........................................................SAIL ENERGY ELWIN SCOTT..............................................SIMARD & SONS, INC. KRISTYN SCHWEITZER....................SPRAGUE ENERGY-ALT. PAULA PALMER..............................................SPRAGUE ENERGY MICHAEL TAMMARO...................................V.L. TAMMARO OIL

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AT THE FRONT

INSURANCE CARRIERS AND BROKERS ASK EMPLOYERS,

"DOES SELF-INSURANCE STILL ADD UP?"

ecently, insurance companies and national brokers have increased their efforts to encourage Maine employers to leave self-insured workers’ compensation trusts. With that outreach, employers may be hearing questions about the risks, costs and responsibilities associated with self-insurance. So, does self-insurance still add up? Here are some of the key considerations.

WHAT ABOUT CATASTROPHIC CLAIMS? The tragic Robbins Lumber fire in May resulted in three employees suffering serious injuries, requiring extensive burn care at Maine Medical Center and, for two employees, Mass General Brigham in Boston. The estimated costs are believed to be higher than any workers’ compensation claim in Maine’s history. But catastrophic, multi-employee claims are exactly the type of loss that Dirigo Reinsurance was established to address. Dirigo has ample funds available to cover both indemnity and medical costs associated with the claim.

WHAT ABOUT REFUNDS? Refunds are an important part of the financial equation for self-insured trusts. One commercial carrier has highlighted its refunds in recent marketing. A review of that company’s 6

MEMA MAG | Fall 2026

refunds over the past 20 years shows they have ranged from 3% to 15%, with most falling between 10% and 13%. By comparison, refunds for the Maine trusts managed by Cross TPA have never been lower than 15% and have ranged as high as 34%. Those refunds have been achieved with rates that are comparable to, and often lower than, the commercial market.

IS SELF-INSURANCE MORE WORK FOR EMPLOYERS? Self-insured groups do require member participation in safety meetings, inspections, claims management and return-to-work efforts. But that involvement is also part of the value of belonging to a member-owned trust. Employers have a direct role in identifying risks, learning from other businesses facing similar challenges and helping ensure claims are handled appropriately. The goal is to prevent injuries, control costs and help employees return to work safely.

WHAT ABOUT COMMERCIAL MARKET RATE REDUCTIONS? Self-insured employers are not part of the commercial insurance market, so they do not receive commercialmarket rate reductions. Instead, their costs are based on the experience of the trust and its members. Self-insured trusts also generally have lower expense costs and do not

pay the premium taxes or carrier profit and executive overhead built into commercial insurance premiums.

WHAT ABOUT THE MONEY HELD IN RESERVES? This is another important distinction. Both commercial insurers and selfinsured trusts must set aside reserves to cover the expected future costs of workers’ compensation claims. When an employer buys commercial insurance, the carrier holds those reserves. A self-insured trust holds its own reserves. The money cannot simply be used for operations in either system—but with self-insurance, members retain the benefit of investment income generated by those funds.

THE BOTTOM LINE The financial equation is ultimately premiums paid less refunds. Selfinsured trusts can offer comparable or lower costs while returning a larger share of surplus funds to their members. Members own the trust, participate in its administration and loss-control efforts, benefit from investment returns and receive 100% of available surplus funds. For employers that want greater control over their workers’ compensation program and the opportunity to retain the financial benefits of favorable claims experience, self-insurance remains a superior alternative to the commercial market.

MEMA NEWS

NEW MEMBERS Please join MEMA in welcoming our newest members. Our members are the backbone of our association. The education services, programs, and events we provide are successful based on the solid support we receive from both associate members and members. To learn more about MEMA membership or to become a member, visit maineenergymarketers.com/membership.

REGULAR MEMBERSHIP Hometown Oil Portsmouth, NH www.hometown-oil.com

EQUIPMENT, SERVICE & SUPPLY MEMBERSHIP A Cool 420 HVAC

Noble Brands Inc.

Gorham, ME (617) 843-5141

Chicago, IL www.plift.com

Avoca AI

Qualpay

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San Mateo, CA www.qualpay.com

Chamberland Transport LLC Saint Agatha, ME www.rfchamberland.com Great Falls Youth Corp Lewiston, ME www.greatfallsyouthcorp.org Greentech Renewables Brunswick, ME www.greentechrenewables.com Joe Fisher Plumbing & Heating Leeds, ME (207) 754-2005

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EVENT RECAP

J. GARRIE MURRAY GOLF CLASSIC 33rd Annual J. Garrie Murray Golf Classic Raises over $23,000 for MEMA Education Foundation

he 33rd Annual J. Garrie Murray Golf Classic was held August 27 at Martindale Country Club in Auburn, bringing MEMA members and industry partners together to support the MEMA Education Foundation. This year’s tournament raised over $23,000, bringing the tournament’s

total contribution to the Foundation to more than $300,000 over its threedecade history. MEMA thanks Martindale Country Club for hosting this year’s tournament. Established in 1921, the club provided the setting for another successful day on the course and a fundraiser that continues to support

education and workforce development in Maine’s energy industry. This year’s tournament also recognized Jim Carroll for his longtime contributions to MEMA and the Golf Classic. Carroll’s family business, J.P. Carroll Fuel Co., was a MEMA member for nearly 50 years before the company was sold in 2025. maineenergymarketers.com

Thank you to all of our generous 2026 sponsors! Event Sponsors Citgo PMI Global H. O. Bouchard, Inc. Irving Reynolds American Quality Steel / LP Cylinder Rowe Ford

Avoca AI Mitsubishi Electric PGANE Hews Co. Colby & Gale, Inc. TerraVest St.Germain

Flag in Hole Sponsors Adams & Fogg Alliance Energy Services Bouchard Services Colby & Gale, Inc. Dead River Company Federated Insurance Freightliner of Maine Inc F.W. Webb

James Reid Heating M.W. Sewall Puzzle Mountain Logging Sprague Swisher TACO The Granite Group

Tee Sponsors Carlin/Hydrolevel Dan Davis Sales General Electric (GE) Greentech Renewables Lake Region Energy

MEMA MAG | Fall 2026

Maritime Energy Sid Harvey Industries SRGI The Granite Group TerraVest

Jim Carroll (left) recieving thank you gift from golf committee chair Rob Wilkes (right). Jim served for years on the MEMA Board of Directors and was a longtime member of the Golf Classic planning committee, giving his time, leadership and experience to both the association and the tournament. The tournament’s continued success would not be possible without the support of its sponsors and the volunteer planning committee. MEMA thanks all of this year’s sponsors for helping make the event and its contribution to the Education Foundation possible, as well as the committee members who give their time each year to organize the tournament: • Rob Wilkes, Chair, Colby & Gale • Bill Hutchinson, The Granite Group • Dave Moody, F. W. Webb • Don Nichols, TerraVest Industries • Matt Poole, Colby & Gale • Tom Protasewich, Emerson Swan • Bob Whiting, Rowe Ford The J. Garrie Murray Golf Classic was established in honor of the longtime Webber Oil executive and continues to raise funds for the MEMA Education Foundation, helping support education and training opportunities for Maine’s energy industry.

Are you ready for life’s next chapter? We are here to continue delivering the legacy you built. For a confidential consultation, call or email Josh at 603.312.4815 janderson@eastern.com

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Propane & Natural Gas Classes APPLIANCE CONNECTION & SERVICE MEMBER $4,200 NON-MEMBER $4,500

Feb. 16 - Mar. 12 Mar. 8 - May 13 May 10 - Jun. 4 Jul. 6 - Jul. 30 Aug. 16 - Sep. 10 Sep. 13 - Nov. 16 Oct. 25 - Nov. 20

TANK SETTER & OUTSIDE PIPING MEMBER $1,300 NON-MEMBER $1,500

Feb. 16 - Mar. 4 Mar. 29 - Apr. 2 Jun. 7 - Jun. 11 Sep. 13 - Sep. 17 Aug. 23 - Sep. 9 Nov. 29 - Dec. 3 DENOTES NIGHT CLASS Night classes meet M, T, W, & TH from 5 PM to 9 PM

MEMA MAG | Fall 2026

DELIVERY TECHNICIAN MEMBER $1,200 NON-MEMBER $1,400

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OPERATOR QUALIFICATION MEMBER $1,200 NON-MEMBER $1,500

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Oilheat Classes OIL TECHNICIAN TRAINING MEMBER $5,100 NON-MEMBER $5,500

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MINI SPLIT INSTALLER TRAINING MEMBER $1,400 NON-MEMBER $1,600

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Jun. 28 - Jul. 2 Oct. 4 - Oct. 8

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MEMA MAG | Summer 2026

MAINE’S ENERGY WORKFORCE IN FOCUS Senator Susan Collins visits MTEC to see workforce training in action and connect with MEMA members about the challenges and opportunities facing Maine’s energy industry

TEC welcomed U.S. Senator Susan Collins to its Brunswick HVAC training center on September 3, offering an up-close look at how Maine’s energy industry is preparing the next generation of skilled workers. During the visit, Senator Collins toured MTEC’s hands-on training labs, spoke with MTEC students and instructors, and spoke with MEMA members for a conversation about the workforce and business challenges facing energy businesses across the state.

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For MEMA members, workforce development is anything but a theoretical issue. Finding, training, and retaining qualified technicians remains one of the industry’s most persistent challenges. Companies feel that need every time they try to fill a service truck, grow their team, or ensure they have enough skilled employees to meet customer demand during another Maine heating season. That made the opportunity to bring Senator Collins inside MTEC especially meaningful. As she toured the facility, Senator Collins was able to see students working hands-on with the equipment and systems they will encounter in the field and hear directly from instructors about the skills and knowledge today's employers need. The conversation also extended beyond the training floor. MEMA members discussed with Senator Collins about the realities of operating an energy business in Maine, from recruiting and training employees to managing rising business costs and ensuring Maine families and businesses continue to have access to reliable, affordable energy.

The visit also highlighted the role that industrysupported training programs can play in addressing Maine’s workforce needs. MTEC was created by MEMA members to help build the skilled workforce our industry needs, and the connection between employers, instructors, and students was on full display throughout the visit. For Senator Collins, the visit provided an opportunity to hear directly from the people working in Maine's energy industry and to see the training taking place at MTEC. For our members, it was a chance to put some of the industry's biggest workforce and business challenges into perspective and have those conversations face-toface. Most importantly, the visit put the focus where it belongs: on the students in the training labs, the instructors teaching them, and the employers who need their skills. Every student learning a new skill at MTEC represents another potential technician ready to serve Maine homes and businesses. Every instructor helps turn classroom knowledge into real-world capability. And every employer who supports workforce training helps strengthen the future of Maine’s energy industry. Building that workforce requires all three— and at MTEC, they come together under one roof.

Finding, training, and retaining qualified technicians remains one of the industry’s most persistent challenges.

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SUMMER TOURS GIVE STUDENTS A HANDS-ON LOOK AT CAREERS IN THE TRADES

MEMA MAG | Fall 2026

F This summer, MTEC opened its doors to young people exploring the skilled trades, giving students a chance to get hands-on and see where a career in the heating and cooling industry could take them.

or students considering what comes after high school, getting the chance to step into a training facility and try the work for themselves can be a valuable part of exploring their options. This summer, MTEC welcomed two groups of young people for career exploration visits designed to introduce students to the skilled trades and give them a closer look at careers in the heating and HVAC industry. In July, MTEC hosted approximately 14 high schoolaged students participating in a Summer Trades Workshop organized by the Maine Department of Labor. The program gives students the opportunity to explore infrastructure and skilled trades through hands-on activities, visits to active job sites, and exposure to other high-demand career fields.

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GET HANDS-ON. EXPLORE THE TRADE. SEE WHERE IT COULD TAKE YOU. During their visit to MTEC, students rotated through several hands-on activities in the training lab. They practiced soldering, learned how to bleed and prime an oil burner, and worked through the process of relighting a pilot light on gas and propane equipment. Rather than simply hearing about what technicians do, students had the opportunity to work with the types of equipment and skills they could encounter in the field. The hands-on approach gave them a chance to experience the work for themselves and consider whether a career in the trades might be a good fit. In August, MTEC welcomed a group from the Great Falls Youth Corps, a Lewiston-Auburn nonprofit that connects youth, mentors, and businesses to create opportunities that build confidence and careers. The visit gave participants an 20 MEMA MAG | Fall 2026

I’ve always liked working with my hands.

opportunity to tour MTEC's training facility, learn more about the heating and HVAC trades, and get a better understanding of what pursuing a career in the industry could look like. “You can tell a young person about the opportunities in the trades, but there’s nothing quite like letting them see the work and try it for themselves,” says MEMA President and CEO Charlie Summers. “These visits give students a chance to discover what they enjoy, ask questions, and start imagining what a career in the trades could look like.” For MTEC, visits like these are an important part of introducing young people to career opportunities they may not have previously considered. Giving students the chance to see the equipment, talk about the work, and get their hands on the tools can help make a career in the trades feel more accessible and tangible.

FROM TOUR TO MTEC STUDENT

ne of the students who visited MTEC with the Great Falls Youth Corps this summer decided to take the next step. After touring the school on August 25, Ben Onek accepted a job with Lake Region Energy and enrolled in MTEC's HVAC Pro program to begin his training for a career in the field. “I’ve always liked working with my hands,” says Ben, “and after seeing the school, meeting the instructors, and working with some of the equipment, it felt like a no-brainer to come to school here.” Walking into MTEC’s training lab during the tour gave Ben a firsthand look at the equipment and training available—and helped him see an opportunity for himself in the trade. His path from a career exploration tour to employment and training is one example of how giving young people an opportunity to experience the trades firsthand can open the door to a potential career.

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THE

ELECTION AHEAD

WHAT MAINE’S CHOICES MEAN FOR ENERGY, AFFORDABILITY AND MEMA BY MEGAN DIVER

maineenergymarketers.com

As Maine prepares to elect a new governor and Legislature, the decisions made in November will shape the policies that affect how our members serve customers for years to come.

y the time this issue reaches your mailbox, Maine will be in the final stretch of the 2026 election. Campaign signs will line the roads, candidates will make their closing arguments, and many voters will already have cast absentee ballots. For Maine Energy Marketers Association members, the election is more than a political milestone. It will help determine who makes decisions about home heating, transportation, workforce development, taxes and the cost of doing business in Maine. On November 3, voters will choose a successor to Governor Janet Mills, elect a new Maine Legislature, and decide races for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The governor’s race is especially consequential because Maine will have a new administration after eight years. At the same time, every seat in the Maine House and Senate is on the ballot. Together, those results will set the direction of energy policy in Augusta

and establish the relationships MEMA will need to build when the next legislative session begins. THE FINAL MONTH OF THE CAMPAIGN The weeks before Election Day are when campaigns become most visible—and often most intense. Candidates will work to reach undecided voters, turn out supporters and explain how they would address the issues Mainers feel most directly. Affordability is likely to remain central to those conversations. A family deciding how to pay for heat this winter, a small business managing delivery costs and an employer struggling to hire a qualified technician all experience the economy in practical terms. Those experiences should be part of the election conversation. MEMA members work in every part of the state, often in communities where they know their customers personally. They understand that energy policy must work in a Maine winter, in a rural service territory and within a household budget. They also know that a policy that looks simple on paper can have complicated effects on equipment, infrastructure, supply and the people who rely on them. Whether a candidate is running for governor, the Legislature or Congress, there are some questions that may affect who we vote for: How will they keep heating affordable? How will they protect consumers’ ability to choose the energy and equipment that fit their homes? How will they support workforce training and small businesses? How will they evaluate a proposed energy policy’s cost and its effect on reliability before it becomes law? The answers will matter long after the advertisements stop. A NEW GOVERNOR, A NEW LEGISLATURE The next governor will help shape Maine’s energy agenda through budget proposals, agency leadership, appointments, rulemaking priorities and the ability to sign or veto legislation. The Legislature will decide which proposals advance, how programs are funded

24 MEMA MAG | Fall 2026

and whether policies account for the realities of serving customers across a large, rural state. We cannot know today which bills will be introduced in the next session. We can expect, however, that familiar questions will return. Maine will continue to debate how to reduce emissions, improve efficiency, protect consumers, maintain reliable energy service and pay for the transition. Lawmakers will also face decisions about state spending and the costs borne by households and employers. Those discussions cannot treat all Maine homes or businesses as though they are starting from the same place. A household may need a new heating system, better insulation or assistance with its current fuel bill. A business may be ready to invest in lower-carbon products but need a workable supply chain and a market that can support the investment. A rural customer may have fewer contractors and fewer practical options than someone in a more densely populated community. MEMA’s role is to make those differences visible and to offer solutions grounded in the work our members do every day. Our industry delivers the fuels that keep homes warm and businesses operating. Members install and maintain equipment, respond to emergencies and invest in the people who will do that work in the future. Many are also working with evolving fuels, technologies and efficiency measures. That expertise belongs in the room when Maine decides what comes next.

ENERGY CHOICE AND AFFORDABILITY MEMA has long advocated for policies that preserve energy choice. That principle is particularly important during a period of change. Maine families live in homes of different ages, sizes and conditions. Their budgets differ. So do their access to equipment, contractors and fuel options. A transition that succeeds for one household may be unaffordable or impractical for another. The next governor and Legislature will have opportunities to support emissions reductions while recognizing those realities. MEMA will encourage policymakers to examine the full cost of proposals, including equipment and installation, ongoing energy bills and the effect on households that cannot make a major investment immediately. We will continue to make the case for policies that let consumers choose among workable options and allow businesses to innovate. The immediate challenge of paying for heat also deserves attention. As another heating season approaches, assistance programs, adequate funding and timely delivery matter to customers who are already making difficult choices. Long-term policy goals and this winter’s needs must both be part of the conversation. THE WORKFORCE THAT MAKES POLICY POSSIBLE An energy plan depends on people who can put it into practice. Maine needs trained technicians, drivers, installers and other skilled workers to maintain existing systems and support new ones. That need is especially clear to MEMA members trying to fill positions while continuing to provide dependable service. maineenergymarketers.com

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER ELECTION DAY

MEMA’s Maine Technical Education Center is part of that effort. Training creates a path into good careers and helps employers meet the needs of their communities. The next administration and Legislature will make decisions affecting workforce programs, education and the business climate for employers who invest in their employees. When candidates speak about Maine’s energy future, we should ask who will install the equipment, maintain it, deliver the fuel and respond when something fails on a cold night. A sound policy must account for the workers needed to carry it out. WASHINGTON MATTERS, TOO Maine’s federal races will also have consequences for MEMA members. Congress makes decisions about heating assistance, transportation, tax policy, workforce programs and federal energy and environmental rules. Federal actions can affect both the cost of products our members deliver and the resources available to the customers who need them. For that reason, MEMA’s engagement cannot end at the State House. We will continue to explain how federal decisions reach Maine communities and to bring members’ experiences to the state’s congressional delegation, regardless of the election results. 26 MEMA MAG | Fall 2026

Election Night will answer some questions, but it will begin another important phase of MEMA’s work. A new governor will assemble an administration. Newly elected legislators will prepare for their first session. Committees, agency priorities and legislative proposals will come into focus. MEMA will be ready to meet the people who take office, introduce them to our members and explain the practical effects of the choices before them. For returning officials, we will continue the relationships and conversations already underway. For new officials, the first step is often straightforward: show them what a member business does, whom it serves and what it takes to deliver safe, reliable energy in Maine. Members have an essential part in that work. An elected official may hear broad arguments about energy every day. Hearing from a constituent who employs local people, serves local households and can explain the consequences of a proposal gives those arguments meaning. Visits, conversations and testimony can help policymakers understand the industry beyond a bill title or a campaign talking point. We do not need to wait for a particular election result to know our priorities. Maine needs affordable and reliable energy. Consumers need practical choices. Businesses need a predictable environment in which to invest and hire. Workers need training and opportunity. And policymakers need to hear from the people responsible for keeping Maine warm and moving. The next month will determine who occupies the offices. The work that follows will determine what they do with them. MEMA will be there to ensure that Maine’s energy marketers—and the customers who count on us—have a voice in that future. Megan Diver is the Vice President of the Maine Energy Marketers Association.

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25 Greenwood Rd | Brunswick, ME 04011

Risk Management To Meet Your Needs

Looking for a personalized, mobile resource to meet your risk management needs? Clients can access industryspecific training; certificate management; vehicle and drivers lists; sample forms, resources, and risk management plans; and more — all available 24/7 with mySHIELD®.

Scan to learn more about how mySHIELD®, Federated’s® personalized, online destination for risk management resources, can help support your business.

Help Support Your Business With mySHIELD®

The content of this publication is for general information purposes only and should not be considered legal advice or an offer of insurance. Coverage will be determined solely by the terms of your policy, if approved for issue. Consult with a qualified professional to discuss questions specific to your circumstances.