LEWISTON — During an hourlong town hall meeting Tuesday, Maine’s Republican Gov. Paul LePage continued his campaign against the state’s Legislature and its leaders, again promising to push the powers of the executive branch of government to achieve his policy goals. Before a largely friendly audience of about 100 people, LePage spoke at the Green […]
energy
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine heating prices fall to 10-year low
AUGUSTA — Maine energy officials say the statewide average price for heating has fallen to a 10-year low. Officials say a Sept. 21 survey found the statewide average for heating oil was $1.99 per gallon, down 9 cents from late August. The average kerosene price was $2.56 per gallon, 11 cents lower than late August. […]
advertisement
Posted inMaine
GOP push for state Department of Energy highlights desire to lower Maine’s energy costs
AUGUSTA — The $38 million fallout from a missing “and” along with a push by Republican lawmakers and Gov. Paul LePage to create a new Cabinet-level Department of Energy is highlighting the ongoing struggle the state’s top policymakers face as they try to combat Maine’s high energy costs. But a disagreement over funding has Democrats […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Video: LePage presses Congress to streamline energy permitting
Gov. Paul LePage starts at the 49 minute mark. LePage testified Wednesday before a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee considering a pair of bills aimed at reducing regulatory burdens on hydropower projects and speeding up permitting for natural gas pipelines. He suggested that activists are using the current system to slow down projects. “Overzealous activists […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage heads to Washington to testify on federal energy policy
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is en route to Washington, D.C, where he’ll testify Wednesday before to the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s subcommittee on energy and power. The hearing, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Kentucky, will focus on Republican-backed proposals to expedite the interstate natural gas pipeline permitting process and streamline hydropower licensing and […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Energy bill to fix funding typo easily passes Maine House
AUGUSTA — A controversial bill to fix a typo that could be worth roughly $38 million to the Efficiency Maine Trust sailed through the House of Representatives Wednesday on a 138-1 vote. Assistant House Majority Leader Sara Gideon’s bill, LD 1215, which inserts the missing “and” into the 2013 energy bill that included funding directives for […]
Posted inMaine
Wind power proponents tout study showing positive impacts for Maine
AUGUSTA — Proponents of Maine’s wind-power industry Tuesday touted a new study showing positive impacts on health and the environment from the industry’s growth in the state. Meanwhile, a bill before the Legislature aims to “dismantle” the state’s wind energy sector, according to those who testified against the bill, also on Tuesday. “This study confirms […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Developer to build Maine wind farm for out-of-state ratepayers
AUGUSTA — A wind power developer is abandoning negotiations on a long-term power purchase agreement in Maine after regulators decided to reconsider the term sheet. Jeremy Payne from the Maine Renewable Energy Association said Monday that SunEdison decided to negotiate a long-term agreement with other states in New England. He stressed that the wind power project […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage’s nuclear power proposal meets resistance
AUGUSTA — Environmentalists and anti-nuclear activists on Wednesday blasted Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to make it easier to bring small nuclear power plants to Maine because it would strip voters of the power to sign off on new plants. Currently, voters must approve the construction of any nuclear power plant in Maine but LePage, a […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine groups ask PUC to restore energy efficiency funds
AUGUSTA — Three groups are asking Maine utility regulators to reconsider a decision that will result in a loss of $38 million for energy efficiency programs. The Conservation Law Foundation, Natural Resources Council of Maine and the Maine Association of Building Efficiency Professionals filed their motion with the Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday. A sweeping […]