Shopping Mall PC in Washington DC Newsletters!: Pep talk in Brunswick, Alzheimers champion award, and more updates Shopping Mall PC in Washington DC Business News letters and Political advice Blog!

Friday, May 29, 2009

Headlines

- Maine newspapers editorialize on 'Cash for Clunkers' program

- Collins given Alzheimers champion award

- Collins delivers pep talk in Brunswick

- Bangor Hydro ribbon cutting

- Are you ready for the new digital era in television?

Maine newspapers editorialize on 'Cash for Clunkers' program

Portland Press Herald:
Getting rid of old cars an energy policy upgrade
"Most programs to significantly cut energy use are exercises in long-range planning. When you are talking about multibillion-dollar investments in power-plant retrofits or new resource development, it stands to reason that you are looking far into the future before you can expect to see a return.

But a small-bore project that directly influences the way individuals make decisions can have just as big results and a much faster payoff. That's why the fleet modernization program, known as "cash for clunkers," makes so much sense." .. Read more >>

Bangor Daily News:
Gas Mileage Gains

"Under "Cash for Clunkers" drivers could receive up to $4,500 for trading in an older, less efficient vehicle and buying one that gets better gas mileage. To qualify for a voucher, the "clunker" must get 17 miles per gallon or less and the new passenger car must get at least 24 miles per gallon and a new light truck must get 20 miles per gallon, the current average for these vehicle classes. Someone buying a car that gets 13 miles per gallon more than the trade-in would get a voucher worth $4,500.

Such incentives, coupled with steady movement to higher gas mileage standards, will reduce American imports of oil, while also reducing pollution." ... Read more >>

Collins given Alzheimers champion award
Press Herald: The Maine Alzheimer's Association gave its first ever "Alzheimer's Champion Award" out today to Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins for her work in promoting awareness of the disease.
Sen. Collins [received] the award during the 2009 Alzheimer's Champions Breakfast this morning.

According to the Maine Alzheimer's Association, Sen. Collins, as a co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease has been "instrumental in efforts to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority."... Read more >>

Collins delivers pep talk

Times Record: U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, delivered a pep talk to the Brunswick Downtown Association on Tuesday,

reminding members that the town has historically reinvented itself to meet challenges and can do so again in response to Brunswick Naval Air Station's impending closure.

Longtime friend and BDA member Dick Morrell of Downeast Energy and Building Supply introduced Collins, noting that throughout recent years of intense partisan debate in Washington, Collins has been "open-minded (and) moderate, and many of us say more power to her."

Collins spoke of the "challenging" local, state and national economies, with the Mid-coast community traditionally "supported by a three-legged stool of BNAS, Bath Iron Works and Bowdoin College." In 2011, one of those legs — the Navy base — will be gone.

"It's difficult not to feel off balance," she said. "Our task is to remain united as we strive to bring about a smooth transition."

Bangor Hydro ribbon cutting

Senator Collins visited the new corporate offices of Bangor Hydro in Bangor today. She toured the energy efficient facility and participated in grand opening ceremonies.

Weekly Column: Are you ready for the new digital era in television?

by Senator Susan Collins
In less than 30 days, a new era in television will begin with the switch to digital broadcasting. This has been a long and confusing process, but when it is complete, the digital television (DTV) transition will help improve the overall clarity of television broadcasts and enhance public safety.
Federal law requires that, on June 12th, all of the approximately 1,800 full-power television stations in the United States transition from analog to digital broadcasting. This switch will not end free, over-the-air television. In fact, it should enhance it. It will not make any TV sets obsolete. Even the oldest set can be brought up-to-date with the addition of a DTV converter box at little or no cost to the consumer.
So, how will this switch affect you? If you subscribe to pay-TV service, such as cable or satellite, you should already be receiving digital signals; therefore, you should not have to do anything to get ready for the transition. But, if you still use a rooftop antenna or "rabbit ears" to receive TV signals, and own an older model television, you will likely either need to subscribe to a pay television service, purchase a new TV with a built-in digital tuner, or acquire a converter box for each analog television in your home.