By Mal Leary MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine – Lawmakers may act to overturn a controversial Maine Public Utilities Commission decision that would slash programs to help people heat their homes and reduce electricity costs. House Republican Leader Ken Fredette of Newport, while defending the PUC’s conclusion, wants it overturned with legislation, if necessary. In Read More
Maine Legislature
The Natural Resources Council of Maine reviews every bill being considered by the Maine Legislature to determine which ones deserve support and which ones should be opposed based on their potential impact on Maine’s environment. Read more about the bills we are following and taking action on.
LePage Bond Threat Puts Land Preservation—and Maine’s Reputation—at Risk
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial Gov. Paul LePage has again threatened to withhold bond funding until he gets what he wants. This time, he is holding hostage money for the Land for Maine’s Future program — bonds voters approved in 2010 and 2012 — until he gets approval to cut more Read More
Maine Regulators’ Ruling Could Wipe Out Heating System Upgrade Funding
By Darren Fishell, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine — Programs that help Maine homeowners and businesses pay for heating system improvements could be on the chopping block if a decision capping funding for the Efficiency Maine Trust goes unchanged by the Legislature. Michael Stoddard, executive director of Efficiency Maine, said Wednesday Read More
A Missing ‘And’ Cut Efficiency Maine’s Possible Funding in Half
By Darren Fishell, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story Little did we know, the word “and” could be worth somewhere in the range of $36 million. The Maine Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday capped the amount of money it can require utilities to give to the Efficiency Maine Trust, which subsidizes energy savings projects Read More
For Efficiency Maine, the Word ‘And’ Made a $38 Million Difference
Lawmakers slam the state Public Utilities Commission for not considering ‘legislator intent’ in a decision that will cut funding for the energy efficiency program. By Kevin Miller and Steve Mistler, Staff Writers Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — One missing word in the Legislature’s 2013 energy law will reduce funding for energy efficiency programs Read More
Maine Regulators Slash Cap on Spending for Energy Efficiency Programs
The PUC cuts Efficiency Maine’s funding from $60 million to $22 million, a decision that many think will raise electricity bills by shrinking weatherization and heating-system programs. By Dennis Hoey. Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The Maine Public Utilities Commission voted 2-1 Tuesday to restrict funding for energy efficiency programs, drawing harsh criticism Read More
LePage Won’t Sell Conservation Bonds Without Timber Harvest Deal
The governor’s stance casts doubt on the ongoing viability of the Land for Maine’s Future program. By Kevin Miller, Portland Press Herald staff reporter Kennebec Journal news story AUGUSTA — A LePage administration official said Tuesday that Gov. Paul LePage does not plan to sell more bonds for Land for Maine’s Future projects and that Read More
Maine PUC Votes to Limit Energy Efficiency Savings for Maine Residents and Businesses
LePage Appointees Vote to Ignore and Subvert Legislative Intent News release Augusta, ME – In a surprising and unfortunate development, Mainers will be paying higher electric bills because the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today voted (2-1) to severely limit funding for energy efficiency programs that reduce electricity costs for Maine homes and businesses, despite Read More
Governor Puts the Brakes on Two Dozen Conservation Projects
By George Smith Bangor Daily News blog The room was packed, most unusual for a meeting of the Land for Maine’s Future Board. Extra chairs were squeezed into the small room, but some folks still had to stand. The news that Governor Paul LePage was refusing to permit the LMF Board to use bond money to Read More
