Senators Collins, King, Representative Golden Announce Over $190,000 in Grid Upgrades for Aroostook Mi’kmaq

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced a $194,000 federal grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) to modernize the electric grid and improve energy resilience for the Aroostook Band of Mi’kmaq. 

“Access to reliable energy should always be a given,” said Senators Collins and King and Congressman Golden. “We’re glad the Mi’kmaq Nation is getting the federal resources they need to help keep their homes warm, lights on, and businesses up and running.”

“The Mi’kmaq Nation is very happy to be able to work with Versant Power to invest in upgrades to the electric grid infrastructure in Aroostook County.  This will improve the reliability of critical infrastructure in our region of the State, and allow for fewer disruptions of electrical service during severe weather events.  This investment in modernizing the grid infrastructure will also allow for more investment in clean energy in the region, and will also empower the Mi’kmaq Nation to diversify their energy needs moving forward,” said Mi’kmaq Nation Chief Edward Peter-Paul.

Extreme weather events and economic challenges pose a threat to the energy security of families across northern Maine, particularly in already disadvantaged Tribal communities. Through this grant, the Mi’kmaq Nation will benefit from grid modernizations that improve outdated or failing infrastructure, as well as advancements in Tribal workforce development.

This funding is part of a $34 million cohort of DOE’s Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants, which is supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

To learn more about the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants, visit the Grid Deployment Office’s website here.

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