By Shelly Mountain and Alice Bolstridge, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Representatives for mining interests continue to lobby the Maine Legislature to weaken mining regulations that would allow Canadian-owned Irving Corp. to mine Bald Mountain in Aroostook County. In his March 9 radio address, Gov. Paul LePage implies that the residents of Read More
Governor Paul LePage
Mill Closures Make Case for Solar Expansion Now
The right response to job loss in legacy businesses is helping new industries grow. Portland Press Herald editorial As if it weren’t bad enough to hear that the Madison Paper Industries plant would shut down in May, putting 214 people out of work, Gov. LePage made it worse: Five years into the job, Maine’s chief Read More
Solar Power Bill Faces Key Legislative Hearing
The proposal to pave the way for solar development has the support of utility companies, environmentalists and solar installers, but Gov. Paul LePage’s opposition may doom the measure. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Clean energy advocates and their allies were gearing up on Wednesday to promote a proposed Read More
Legislative Committee Votes Against LePage’s Anti-National Monument Bill
By Nick Sambides Jr., BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — The first legislative review of Gov. Paul LePage’s attempt to prevent the creation of a national monument within Maine began badly for him when one of the state’s top environmental attorneys advised that no state law could accomplish the governor’s goal. Read More
Solar Power Compromise Fairly Shares Costs, Benefits
Lawmakers should not miss this opportunity to responsibly expand renewable power. Portland Press Herald editorial Maine lawmakers have a great opportunity to fairly distribute the costs and benefits of solar power, setting a five-year course that would expand use of renewable energy in a sustainable way. That is, if they don’t let politics get in Read More
LePage Opposes Compromise to Rapidly Expand Solar Power
Diverse interest groups back the 12-fold expansion, but LePage’s energy office says it includes subsidies that harm other ratepayers, setting up a legislative battle. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story A compromise proposal to boost solar power development in Maine 12-fold over five years is being opposed by Gov. Paul LePage, Read More
LePage’s Bill Aims to Prevent National Monument Status for North Woods
By A.J. Higgins MPBN news story Plans to preserve large sections of Maine’s North Woods for a future national park could be undermined by a bill advanced by Gov. Paul LePage. The bill targets efforts by Roxanne Quimby and her son Lucas St. Clair, who have held discussions with federal officials that could lead to Read More
Hospitals Speak Out Against Energy Efficiency Cuts
News Center Maine TV news story BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Representatives from some of Eastern Maine’s hospitals say they don’t want the state legislature to take away money given to them from a regional energy efficiency program. They, along with the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) say investing that money in energy saving Read More
This is Maine’s Chance for the Right Solar Power Reboot
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News op-ed Maine has hit an important solar juncture: Enough homeowners have installed solar panels on their roofs and enough community solar projects are in operation that the key policy that has encouraged so many solar panels is due for major revision. The state will position itself well Read More
