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News

Maine's Alternative Fuel Newsletter 

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Podcasts

Let's Connect Greater Portland

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Let's Connect Greater Portland is a weekly public affairs radio show & podcast focused hosted by Greater Portland Council of Governments' Executive Director Kristina Egan. The show covers a variety of issues and stories across the state, often including transportation and alternative fuels. 

Tune In Live
The show is live on the air every Thursday from 1 to 1:30 p.m. on WMPG, 90.09 FM.  Call in with questions for Kristina and her guests at (207) 780-4909.

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Listen To the Podcast
Listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

 

Follow on Instagram
Keep up with the show on @letsconnectradio.

Episode Spotlights!

Casco Bay Lines Charts Hybrid-Electric Ferry

Conversation with Ben Dinsmore, General Manager of Casco Bay Lines, about the anticipated arrival of the Battery Steele — the most innovative passenger vessel ever built for Maine island service. They discuss how hybrid-electric propulsion works in a demanding marine environment and the infrastructure needed to support ferry electrification. The conversation explores the opportunities and challenges of reducing emissions in public transportation, the future of marine transit in Maine, and what this groundbreaking project means for the ferry line — the oldest pubic transportation service in Maine.

Electrifying Maine's Working Waterfront

Host Tom Bell heads out on Casco Bay—at least in spirit—to explore , the largest electric aquaculture workboat in Maine and maybe the nation. Built through a multi-year collaboration among local innovators, Heron is transforming oyster farming with cleaner, quieter, zero-emission technology that offers a glimpse into the future of Maine’s working waterfront. Tom is joined by Nick Planson of , Willy Leathers of , and Lia Morris of the , to talk about how Heron performs on the water, and why electrification matters for coastal communities, climate goals, and the future of sustainable aquaculture.

Making the Switch to Electric Trucks 

On this episode of Let’s Connect Greater Portland, we look beyond electric cars to the future of clean transportation in Maine’s trucking sector. Host Kristina Egan talks with Hogan Dwyer from  and Jon Gagne from the about the state’s goals for transportation electrification, the importance of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in cutting emissions, and the businesses already making the switch to electric trucks. From pilot programs and tax credits to the challenges and opportunities ahead, this conversation highlights how Maine is moving toward a cleaner, more sustainable transportation system.

Past Webinars

Medium & Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle/Tech/Equipment
Webinar Series 

Webinar #4: Electric Transit and School Buses

Vermont Clean Cities, Granite State Clean Cities, and Maine Clean Communities hosted webinar #4 in the "Medium & Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle/Tech/Equipment" webinar series geared for public & private Transit & School Bus Fleet Managers, planning commissions, energy committees and other advocates & decision-makers. This webinar features a panel of electric bus/charging technology manufacturers and providers. This is your chance to hear about transit buses and school buses that are available today and what's coming down the road!

Webinar #3: Electric Municipal & Commercial Vehicles

Granite State, Vermont and Maine Clean Cities Coalitions hosted two virtual expo webinars highlighting medium- and heavy-duty electric municipal & commercial vehicles/technology.  These are geared towards public and private fleet and business managers, public works directors, planning commissions, energy committees and other advocates and decision makers. Hear from electric vehicle/technology manufacturers and providers about what’s available today and what’s coming down the road.

Medium and Heavy Duty Electric Vehicle
Planning Strategies and Solutions

The first in a webinar series with New Hampshire and Vermont Clean Cities geared for public and private fleet and business managers, public works directors, and other decision makers focusing on planning strategies and solutions to avoid pitfalls. Executive Director for of the Nashua Regional Planning Commission in NH speaks about the development of a working group to explore electrification of school buses, Director of Maintenance for the City of Burlington discusses experience establishing policies and actionable goes to electrify transportation, and Central Maine Power explores a new pilot proposal to reduce peak demand charges.

Autogas Answers with Clean Cities Coalitions

Learn how propane delivers a low-carbon, clean-burning alternative to diesel and gasoline. A curated panel of experts and fleet managers will share their experiences using propane Autogas in diverse applications within the transportation sector. Dottie Muchmore discusses MSAD 6 experience acquiring and operating propane school buses.

Maine Clean Communities
Hosted by Greater Portland Council of Governments since 1997
Designated U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities and  Communities Coalition

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