NEW GLOUCESTER, Maine, Aug. 17, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recently, representatives from the Iberdrola USA Foundation and the Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) helped the City of Portland unveil its latest electric vehicle (EV) charging station installed in a City-owned parking garage in downtown Portland. This is the latest addition to a growing number of Foundation-funded EV charging stations located across the State of Maine, and another tangible example of Iberdrola's strong commitment to promoting sustainability and combating global climate change.
"Iberdrola is one of Europe's leading supporters of electric vehicles, and Iberdrola USA shares that commitment by promoting EV technology through initiatives such as this," said Bob Kump, chief corporate officer of Iberdrola USA and president of the Iberdrola USA Foundation.
The Iberdrola USA Foundation provided the Greater Portland Council of Governments with a $50,000 grant to help various cities, towns, and businesses install EV charging station technology. To date, seven EV charging stations are online as a result of this initiative – three in the City of Portland, and one each in Raymond, Falmouth, Pineland Farms and Windham. The Foundation expects to fund a total of 18 charging stations including additional installations in Auburn, Augusta, Bridgton, Cape Elizabeth, Freeport, Portland, Yarmouth and others.
"Electric vehicles are a smart option for decreasing pollution and lowering fuel and maintenance costs. GPCOG would like to thank the Iberdrola USA Foundation for making the expansion of vital EV charging station infrastructure in Maine possible", said Jennifer Puser Brenann, director of special projects at GPCOG.
In Maine, Central Maine Power, a subsidiary of Iberdrola USA based in Augusta, also has collaborated with the Greater Portland Council of Government to support EV technology as well as providing grants to 22 Maine towns, businesses, and non-profits to purchase EV technology, including the City of Portland, Town of Scarborough, and the Town of Standish.
"Iberdrola USA supports the development of public infrastructure for EVs, and we're integrating EV technology in our own fleet as well," said Kump. "During the last six years, we've spent more than $4 million on electric vehicles for operations in Maine and New York."
Recognizing the many benefits of EV's including less fuel consumption, improved crew safety, quieter operation, reduced emissions and a smaller carbon footprint, Iberdrola USA currently maintains a fleet of 84 passenger PEVs/hybrids and 13 hybrid bucket trucks spread through its three utility operating companies in Maine and New York. Iberdrola USA also has joined an industry initiative headed by the Edison Electric Institute to spend five percent of its annual vehicle budget to acquire additional plug-in electric vehicles.
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.
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Media Contact:
Dan Hucko
Daniel.Hucko@IberdrolaUSA.com
585.724.8825
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=35208
