(AUGUSTA, Maine) Attorney General Janet Mills applauded the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for agreeing to update overdue energy efficiency standards for four common commercial appliances. The federal agency has finally met the demands of an 11-member coalition of states and cities to update these efficiency standards.

The decision will help reduce energy consumption, saving American consumers millions of dollars each month and reducing pollution that contributes to climate change, water and air pollution.

Augusta, Maine) Attorney General Janet T. Mills reminds Maine homeowners to be wary of door-to-door sellers using high pressure tactics to sell home repair services, paving jobs and other goods. Maine has three statutes specifically intended to regulate door-to-door sales and to protect consumers from high pressure tactics. In many cases, door-to-sales require a state license and a three day waiting period.

(AUGUSTA, Maine)? Maine Attorney General Janet T. Mills is joining the Department of Defense, Pine Tree Legal Assistance, the Federal Trade Commission and other state and federal organizations to celebrate the first annual Military Consumer Protection Day on Wednesday, July 17, 2013. Military Consumer Protection Day is a joint initiative to empower active duty and retired service members, military families, veterans and civilians in the military community.

ALFRED ? A former executive director of a clinic that provided mental health and developmental services to children has been sentenced in connection to a number of charges stemming from her mismanagement of that clinic. Mari Jo Allen, 42, of Arundel, Maine, was sentenced on Friday, July 12, 2013 to four years all but 20 months suspended and has been ordered to pay $76,561 in restitution.

AUGUSTA - Maine Attorney General Janet T. Mills expressed dismay at the decision handed down by the Supreme Court this week in the case of Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl. The decision places limits on the applicability of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in a case in which the Court found that the biological father who was a tribal member had relinquished his rights to his daughter because he did not have 'legal custody' of the child.

Augusta, Me ? Maine Attorney General Janet T. Mills is applauding the result of a closely watched case before the US Supreme Court. In the decisions released today, the Supreme Court struck down the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in United States V. Windsor. Maine had signed onto an amicus brief in the case.

Augusta - The Maine Office of the Attorney General is warning consumers about an offer involving a Deed Processing Notice that is being mailed to consumers. The notice tells consumers that they need to send $83 to obtain a copy of their deed to their real estate.

Attorney General Mills says ?if you want a copy of your deed, contact your local registry of deeds. You can get a copy much quicker and cheaper from your county registry.?

AUGUSTA ? The practice of ?robo-signing? documents that led to widespread abuses by national mortgage servicing companies led to a landmark $1.5 billion settlement against five of America?s largest firms. About 1,379 Maine residents will begin receiving checks today that average approximately $1,480.

AUGUSTA ? With Memorial Day approaching more Mainers may start to receive solicitations from bogus companies enticing them take a free or incredibly cheap vacation or for an exceptional opportunity to sell their existing timeshare. Attorney General Mills asks consumers to be leery of any consumer deal that sounds too good to be true, because it probably is.

VACATION SCAMS

Not sure if you?re dealing with a travel scam? Here are six signs that sun-splashed getaway isn?t what it seems:

AUGUSTA ? Maine Attorney General Janet T. Mills has signed onto an amicus brief filed today in the United States Supreme Court which urges the Court to fully enforce the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).