CMP Holds First-Ever Resiliency Summit
More than 50 leaders from across Maine took part in a first-ever event at CMP’s headquarters focused on topics like extreme storms, emergency response and mental health
Pictured: Emergency Response Panel at CMP’s Resiliency Summit with (left to right) Fred Lamontagne – Senior Manager, Emergency Operations, Central Maine Power, Philip Davis – Director, Sagadahoc County Emergency Management Agency (with Crisis Response K9 Chaos), Sophie Piconi – Executive Director, American Red Cross Northern New England, Jenny Pierce – VP, Integrated Operational Services, Avangrid and moderated by Katie Yates - Director of Community Relations at Central Maine Power
AUGUSTA, ME – May 1, 2026 – Central Maine Power (CMP), a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc., hosted dozens of community organizations, businesses, and government agencies at its Augusta headquarters for the first-ever Central Maine Power Resiliency Summit on Thursday. This event connected groups to talk about resiliency in various forms including energy grid planning, extreme weather impacts, mental health and emergency response.
“The CMP Resiliency Summit makes clear that emergency preparedness is most effective when it’s built through collaboration at the community level,” said Maine State Representative Mathew McIntyre, member of the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee. “By bringing together utilities, first responders, health professionals, workforce leaders, and local organizations, we’re strengthening our ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. We need to have the conversations and make the plans before an emergency inevitably hits, so we are ready to respond when the seconds count. This kind of coordinated planning protects families, keeps communities connected during critical moments, and lays the groundwork for a more resilient economy and a stronger future for Maine.”
The Resiliency Summit’s overarching goal is to empower communities to adapt, recover, and thrive amid environmental, economic, social, and organizational challenges.
“At Central Maine Power, resiliency is about much more than poles and wires, it’s about people, preparation and partnerships,” said Linda Ball, President and CEO of Central Maine Power. “By coming together across communities, organizations and industries, we’re building a shared vision for Maine’s future. This is where meaningful conversations lead to real solutions. This event is meant to strengthen our ability to face extreme weather, support healthier communities, and inspire innovation and workforce growth that will carry Maine forward.”
The summit also included an interactive Live Line demonstration of CMP’s grid infrastructure in action. The summit also featured panel discussions and conversations centered around:
- Climate and environmental resilience
- Economic and workforce resilience
- Mental health and community wellbeing
- Infrastructure and emergency preparedness
- Innovation and collaboration
“We’re committed to building strong, meaningful connections with our community partners, municipalities, chambers, businesses, and nonprofits across Maine,” said Katie Yates, Director of Community Relations at Central Maine Power. “Maine is a small state, and our greatest strength comes from working together. When we bring diverse voices and perspectives around the same table with a shared goal, we’re better equipped to tackle the complex challenges our communities face. Collaboration isn’t just part of what we do at CMP, it’s at the core of who we are and how we support a more resilient future for Maine.”
Attendees included the Maine Emergency Management Agency, Maine Department of Energy Resources, members of the Maine State Legislature, American Red Cross Northern New England, Sweetser, 211, United Way of Maine, Maine Development Foundation, Island Institute, Marine Mammals of Maine, Greater Portland Council of Governments, Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, Lewiston Auburn Metro Chamber of Commerce, Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission and the Maine Black Chamber of Commerce.