CMP News

Central Maine Power Company, 83 Edison Drive, Augusta, ME 04336 (207) 622-NEWS 

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CMP launches Community Mitten Drive
Project gets boost with large donation from ‘Secret Santa’

AUGUSTA, Maine, December 7, 2006  Central Maine Power Company's third annual Community Mitten Drive is now under way. Like last year, WMTW-TV Channel 8 is supporting the drive with a series of public-service announcements.

"We're accepting donations of new, store-bought or handmade mittens, gloves, and hats to help keep Maine kids warm this winter," says CMP Spokeswoman Gail Rice. "We have collection boxes at all CMP Service Centers, Reny's retail stores, Tim Horton's restaurants, and Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution branches." A list of locations is posted CMP’s web site at www.cmpco.com.

The project got a big boost last month with the anonymous donation of more than 300 pair of hand-knit mittens.

"Two large bags of mittens appeared at the front door of our Portland Service Center on Canco Road the day before Thanksgiving with no name or note attached," says CMP spokesperson Gail Rice. "Knitting more than 600 hundred mittens is a huge undertaking, and we'd love to know where they came from so we can thank the donor."

CMP sent letters to more than 400 schools throughout its service area to gauge the need for the items. Once received, they'll be distributed to where they're needed most. The drive will continue through February 2006.

The Mitten Drive is one of several community-service projects at CMP during the holiday season. On Dec. 2, the Company held its annual Christmas party for children in need. Employees at the utility's Portland Customer Relations Center have raised money for the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center and will provide baked goods for the St. Joseph's Manor holiday celebration. Throughout the year, CMP supports children and learning through grants to schools and programs such as Jobs For Maine's Graduates, the Maine Council on Economic Education, Kennebec Valley Community College, and the University of Southern Maine School of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology.

"We have always felt that our responsibilities go beyond providing safe, reliable electric-delivery service to our customers," said CMP President Sara Burns. "We have a long tradition of being a good neighbor, and that begins with the people in the company. The Mitten Drive is just another way we all work together helping families and communities.'

About CMP: Central Maine Power, a subsidiary of Energy East Corporation, operates more than 20,000 miles of power lines and other facilities that deliver electricity to 80 percent of Maine’s population. Web site: www.cmpco.com.

About Energy East: Energy East Corporation [NYSE: EAS] is a respected super-regional energy services and delivery company that our customers can depend on every day. We are a motivated and skilled team of professionals dedicated to creating shareholder value through our focus on profitable growth, operational excellence and strong customer partnerships. We serve about 3 million customers throughout upstate New York and New England.

— CMP —