AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s office says he didn’t sign a $29 million spending package because of concerns with allocations to an energy efficiency program. Spokeswoman Adrienne Bennett said LePage agrees with elements of the budget. But she said he’s deeply concerned that Maine now is 11th highest in the nation in energy costs […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage urges Maine utility regulators to resign over solar decision
Gov. Paul LePage uses a model of a home selling solar power to the electric grid during a press conference at the State House to decry a recent decision by the Public Utilities Commission that he says will force Maine ratepayers to subsidize the solar industry. AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage said Friday he […]
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Electricity program staff paid by supplier
AUGUSTA — For the first time in 16 years, the staff of Maine PowerOptions appeared before lawmakers Thursday to answer questions about how the quasi-state program brings together hundreds of municipalities and school districts to help them buy electricity. The hearing followed an investigation by the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting last month that […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine PUC OK rules that shift solar panel costs onto homeowners
AUGUSTA — State utility regulators are changing Maine’s solar energy rules despite pushback from solar groups. Owners of solar energy grids get credits on their energy bill for the energy they send back to the system. But critics, including GOP Gov. Paul LePage, say the current system means electricity customers are unfairly subsidizing the solar […]
Posted inMaine
Gov. Paul LePage says he ‘failed miserably’ on key issues
AUGUSTA — When he took office six years ago, Gov. Paul LePage took aim at a trio of problems he saw facing Maine: high taxes, costly energy bills and burdensome regulations. “I’ve tried to address all three,” LePage said, “and I’ve failed miserably.” The governor told a radio station recently that while he’s had some […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Gov. Paul LePage pushes for cheaper electricity
Taking aim at green power initiatives that raise energy costs, Gov. Paul LePage said in his weekly radio address Wednesday that Maine consumers deserve a break. “Decades of corruption, poor decision-making and wealthy special interests controlling Augusta” have left the state shouldering higher-than-necessary costs for energy, the governor said, a legacy he claims crimps business […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Obama blocks new oil, gas drilling in Arctic Ocean
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is blocking new oil and gas drilling in the Arctic Ocean, handing a victory to environmentalists who say industrial activity in the icy waters will harm whales, walruses and other wildlife and exacerbate global warming. A five-year offshore drilling plan announced on Friday blocks planned sale of new oil and […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Patrick Woodcock to resign from Governor’s Energy Office next month
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage says the director of the Governor’s Energy Office is leaving the position next month. Patrick Woodcock will officially leave the post Dec. 9. Woodcock took the position in January 2013 after having worked for former U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe in Washington, D.C. Woodcock says he believes he’s leaving the position […]
Posted inBusiness
Energy, jobs tops at Maine Manufacturing Summit
LEWISTON — Andy Nichols paid $1.2 million for electricity last year at Elmet Technologies. No question he’d love to trim that bill. The former Philips Elmet Corp. employs 200 people making an array of high-tech metal products. “If we could cut our (electric) bill by 30 percent, that is a significant, significant gain on our […]
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Maine House passes solar bill
AUGUSTA — Supporters of a state solar bill approved by the House say the legislation would create new clean-energy jobs and reduce energy costs for those who don’t use solar power. The Maine House passed the bill Thursday. The vote remains 10 short of the needed support to override Gov. Paul LePage’s expected veto. The […]