Maine Audubon, CMP look to put a charge in electric vehicle initiatives

A typical electric vehicle charger (Courtesy photo)

FALMOUTH, Maine - Maine Audubon director Ole Amundsen and Sara Burns, president and CEO of Central Maine Power, will celebrate the installation of an electric-vehicle charger in Falmouth next week.

CMP's Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Grant Program provided funds to Maine Audubon for the purchase and installation of the charger, which will be unveiled during a ceremony at the Gilsland Farm Sanctuary in Falmouth on Monday.

The charger is powered by a solar array installed by ReVision Energy. Participants will show how state-of-the-art solar and electric-vehicle technology can benefit the environment. The solar array, charger, and electric vehicles offer fine visuals on what promises to be a beautiful day at the sanctuary.

CMP's PEV Grant Program is designed to encourage the use of plug-in hybrid and electric cars in Maine, while gathering data about their use. Launched in 2011, it was run in collaboration with several environmental organizations, including Environment Northeast (ENE), the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF). Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $200,000 to 24 organizations to help with the purchase or lease of an EV and/or to install charging stations.