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Friday, January 4, 2019
Volume 15 • Issue No. 1
Central Maine Power Explains Energy Rates to Customers STATEWIDE Central Maine Power Co. (CMP) is reaching out to customers to help them understand why portions of their bills may be higher in 2019. Beginning in January, residential customers will receive a brief explanation in their bills about how the price of their supply of energy is different than the price of delivery, which is the portion CMP is responsible for. “We are reminding customers that the energy supply rates for residential customers who choose Standard Offer supply will rise 13.7% beginning in January. This is not a CMP increase- this is the increase in the cost of the energy supplied
largely by natural gas-fired generation companies. However, CMP collects this fee in bills and remits it to the Standard Offer suppliers so customers often assume we have just raised
their rates—which is not the case,” said Doug Herling, president and CEO of CMP. “We want to do everything we can to prevent the sticker-shock that some customers experienced a
year ago when the supply rates rose by close to 18% and were first reflected in customer bills during an extreme cold spell in January.” CMP charges customers for the delivery of electricity and all customers share in transmission and distribution costs – essentially the costs involved in maintaining a safe, secure and reliable grid. The Maine Public Utilities Commission determines the rates for Standard Offer Service energy supply and announced 2019 rates earlier in December. Customers can also choose to receive energy supply from other Competitive Electric Providers and a listing of licensed retail suppliers is availa-
ble on the Maine Public Utilities Commission website. “Electric utility pricing is somewhat complex and confusing for many,” explains Herling. “While we have visited this issue frequently with customers over the years, we want to make sure we are continuing to provide information that helps customers better understand their bills.” With CMP tools such as Energy Manager and Usage Alerts on the newly revised cmpco.com website, all customers can have information about their energy use at their fingertips and can understand when and how they may be able to manage those costs.
Library Discusses Book on China’s Evolving Middle Class YORK One can’t read or listen to the news today without noticing a headline about China. In December, York Public Library featured a program on China and its role as a global superpow-
Index
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Arts & Entertainment 8-11 Business & Finance 14 Calendar of Events 5 Classifieds 23-25 Computer Lady 8 Health & Fitness 12-13 Home & Business 21-22 Library News 6 Obituaries 20,25 Pets 7 Puzzles 26 Real Estate 19,28 Sports 25 Where To Dine 15-18
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er. On Wednesday, January 9, a follow-up program and book discussion will explore China as a country experiencing growing pains and the cultural, social, and economic conflicts that arise from such growth. The program will be presented by Edwin H. Pierce, former social studies teacher at Marshwood High School, in conjunction with the Camden Conference 2019. The Camden Conference is a 2-day symposium led by experts from China, East Asia, Europe, and the United States
that analyzes a wide range of topics and issues regarding the emerging leader which, when taken as a whole, addresses the ultimate question: Is this China’s century? Prior to the discussion, attendees are encouraged to read the 2014 book, Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China, written by Evan Osnos. The author lived in China for five years as a reporter for The New Yorker, and the book addresses the dualities and dramas continually
in motion in modern China. He presents the Chinese Communist Party which, though powerful, operates under constant threat of being undermined by corruption, a fluctuating economy, and the development of a middle class. Osnos investigates these clashes not only on a societal level, but on an individual one as well. The book can be borrowed through the Minerva Library system, so call 207-3632818 to reserve a copy, or request See CHINA page 13...
Berwick Scout Achieves Eagle Rank SOUTH BERWICK On December 29, Berwick resident Luke Conroy of Troop 313 received Scouting’s highest honor, the rank of Eagle Scout. Luke’s achievement was recognized at a Court of Honor held at the First Parish Federated Church in South Berwick with over 60 scouts, family and friends in attendance. Luke, 18, has been involved in scouting since he was 7 years old, working through every rank from Tiger cub to Eagle Scout, which
he officially earned on August 22 of this year after passing his Eagle Board of Review. During
a Wolf Scout, and part of 2016 again in Africa, where he was a Life Scout and member of Troop 490 in Kigali, Rwanda. The rank of Eagle is earned by only 4% of all Boy Scouts. In order to meet the requirements for this award, a Scout must demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to public service, most notably through the planning and completion of an extensive self-led ‘Eagle See SCOUT page 4...
The Conroy family: Janet, Luke, Ross, and Drew.
Health & Fitness A section concerning your health... INSIDE:
his 11 years in Scouting Luke spent 2008 in Namibia, Africa with his family, when he was
PG 12-13
Also check out our section on
BUSINESS & FINANCE PG 14
Pets Consider taking in a new fuzzy family member for the
New Year!
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