So the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) did a study that concluded the “value of solar” is 33.7 cents/kwh. (The study was done in response to legislation last year that NRCM developed and led the passage of.) What in the world does that mean? Is that what solar is worth? What it costs? How does that Read More
Public Utilities Commission
A Done Deal Gets Undone by PUC Efficiency Vote
The governor’s policy agenda is what drove the decision, not a missing word. By The Editorial Board Portland Press Herald editorial Let’s be clear: This is not about a missing word. When the Maine Public Utilities Commission voted 2-1 last week to slash a scheduled increase in the budget for energy-efficiency projects, the commissioners were Read More
Lawmakers Should Fix the Missing ‘And’ So Energy Efficiency Work is Not Cut Back
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial At $12 million per letter, a missing “and” in a state law has proven an expensive error now that the state Public Utilities Commission used inadvertently flawed statutory language to cut funding for Maine’s energy efficiency work by $36 million. The PUC earlier this week took Read More
Top House Republican Says He’d Work to Restore $38 Million to Efficiency Maine
Rep. Kenneth Fredette, a leading advocate for a 2013 energy law, agrees that a drafting error likely led to the PUC vote to cut funding and calls criticism of the agency unfair. By Steve Mistler. Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — House Minority Leader Kenneth Fredette, R-Newport, said Thursday that he is Read More
GOP Leader Wants Controversial PUC Decision Overturned
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 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
