The governor wants to support a UMaine offshore wind pilot project over that of a Norwegian company, but a sponsor says failure to pass the bill would undermine other energy initiatives as well.
Tux Turkel
Tux Turkel writes primarily about energy issues affecting Maine. Over the years, he has gazed into the spent-fuel pool at the now-gone Maine Yankee nuclear plant, looked across Casco Bay from atop Wyman Station’s smokestack, and toured power plants and wind farms across the state, but remains confused about why electricity doesn’t leak from our wall sockets.
When he’s not trying to make sense of dense regulatory filings at the Public Utilities Commission, he’s likely to be hiking in the mountains or visiting Maine’s coastal islands in his small motorboat.
A graduate of Emerson College in Boston, Tux lives in Yarmouth with his wife, youngest son, a cat and a guinea pig.
Posted inNews, Politics
Utilities commission votes to audit CMP smart meter program
The Maine Public Utilities Commission voted Thursday to undertake an audit of Central Maine Power Co.’s smart meter program, to determine if the program is saving money and providing the benefits that were expected when the agency approved it in 2010.
advertisement
Posted inBusiness, News
CMP smart meter program faces possible PUC audit
The staff of Maine’s Public Utilities Commission contends that Central Maine Power Co. has mismanaged its smart-meter program, costing customers millions of dollars rather than saving them money, and failing to provide the expected energy savings and operational benefits.
Posted inBusiness, News
Region’s electric grid operator wants to armor against winter blackouts
Worried that there might not be enough natural gas in New England this winter to keep all the lights on reliably, the region’s electric grid operator wants oil-fired power plants to stockpile 4.2 million barrels of oil by Dec. 1, for backup.
Posted inNews
Floating wind turbine installation to make history Friday
Hundreds will gather Friday morning to watch as North America’s first floating offshore wind turbine is lowered into the Penobscot River.
Posted inNews
Is natural gas Maine’s energy future?
The swift, broad change to natural gas heating in Maine is opening up questions about its sustainability, in terms of affordability and infrastructure.
Posted inNews
PUC probing Electricity Maine for possible false ads
Did the company’s ads give the impression it is the state’s cheapest provider? Regulators ask for answers.
Posted inNews
$43 million lawsuit says CMP caused work delays
A contractor from New York says CMP failed to deliver materials on time, costing the contractor extra time and money during a yet-to-be-finished transmission-line upgrade.
Posted inNews, Politics
LePage not happy with bipartisan energy bill
The governor wants more money for homeowners switching heating systems.
Posted inPolitics
Maine bill to slash energy costs goes to panel
The package melds numerous ideas and would partly use Maine Yankee settlement funds to boost efficiency.