Participants in CMP Electric Vehicle Program Save on Fuel, Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
CMP News
Central Maine Power Company, 83 Edison Drive, Augusta, ME 04336 (207) 622-NEWS
Corporate Communications - corpcomm@cmpco.com
Release: Immediate
February 23, 2015
Participants in CMP Electric Vehicle Program Save on Fuel, Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
AUGUSTA, Maine Central Maine Power Co., a subsidiary of Iberdrola USA, reports that participants in its program promoting use of plug-in electric vehicles, or PEVs, are saving money on fuel and reducing their impact on the environment. The utility summarized its findings in a semi-annual report to the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC).
Since the program was launched in 2013, the utility has awarded grants totaling nearly $200,000 to 22 organizations to help with the purchase or lease of a PEV and/or to install charging stations.
"Our program has put 18 more PEVs on the road across our service area and added several charging stations in Greater Portland. The non-profit organizations, municipalities, and business participants all tell us how exciting it is to be a part of it," said Sara J. Burns, president and CEO of Central Maine Power. "Our parent company, Iberdrola, is a global leader in adoption of sustainable practices, and is a champion of this kind of technology around the world. We're proud to be part of a corporation that has such an outstanding record of sustainability, and our PEV program is just one of many ways we can show that we share Iberdrola's commitment to the environment."
CMP already has several PEVs in its fleet, including two Chevy Volts and a dozen hybrid bucket trucks. In September of 2014, Iberdrola USA announced a commitment agreement with the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) to spend at least five percent of its annual fleet acquisition budget on PEVs and equipment. This commitment is the latest step in Iberdrola USA's ongoing strategy to utilize and support alternative-fuel vehicle technology throughout its utility operations.
In its report to the Commission, CMP noted that program participants have purchased and leased a broad range of PEV models. They include all-electric models like the Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus Electric, and Smart For Two Electric; and hybrids like the Chevy Volt, Ford CMAX Energi, Toyota Prius Plug-In, and Ford Fusion Energi. Charging equipment installed through the CMP program includes Nissan DC Quick Charge stations and Level 2 chargers at the Fore Street parking garage in Portland and at the South Portland Community Center, all of which are available for public use. Hannaford's corporate offices in Scarborough and IDEXX in Westbrook also received Level 2 chargers primarily for employees use.
Data collected from October of 2013 through December of 2014 shows that the vehicles in the program logged an average fuel consumption equivalent to 91 miles per gallon. Participants operated the vehicles in electric mode approximately 68 percent of the time, resulting in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of more than 63,000 pounds.
This data is proof that PEVs can definitely play a key role in Maine's efforts to reduce carbon pollution that contributes to climate change, said Dylan Voorhees, clean energy expert with the Natural Resources Council of Maine. "We are excited and proud to partner with CMP and its many participant organizations in efforts to promote the broader use of PEVs and charging technology in Maine."
CMP plans to continue to look for ways to increase the use of PEVs in Maine. Efforts may include promotion of new state policies to encourage installation of additional charging stations across the state.
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Media Contact:
Gail Rice
207.622.NEWS
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About Central Maine Power Company (CMP): Central Maine Power Company, a subsidiary of Iberdrola USA, is Maine's largest electricity transmission and distribution utility. The company delivers about 9 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually to more than 600,000 homes and businesses, representing about 80% of Maine's annual consumer sales of electricity. J.D. Power and Associates has ranked the company #1 in customer satisfaction seven times. For more information, visit www.cmpco.com.
About Iberdrola USA: Iberdrola USA is the U.S. subsidiary of global energy leader Iberdrola, S.A. The Iberdrola USA companies employ about 5,000 people with operations in 24 states from New England to the West Coast, providing electricity generation, transmission and distribution, natural gas storage and distribution, and energy services. For more information, please visit our website: www.iberdrolausa.com. Follow us on Twitter: @IberdrolaUSA