By Darren Fishell, BDN staff Bangor Daily News news story Cianbro’s 57-acre solar farm in Pittsfield has cleared its major regulatory hurdles toward getting the $24.2 million project in partial operation by December. Environmental regulators last month cleared the project for construction and the Maine Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday gave the company the go-ahead Read More
Clean Energy & Efficiency
Maine Group Calls for Clean Air Act Improvements
by BDN staff writer Bill Trotter Bangor Daily News news story ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, Maine — A group of environmental advocates met Tuesday at the summit of Cadillac Mountain to draw attention to what they say are needed improvements to the federal Clean Air Act, according to a statement released Tuesday. Representatives of the Natural Read More
Public Utilities Commission Approves $42 Million Per Year in Efficiency Spending
By Fred Bever, MPBN staff Maine Public Broadcasting Network news story State regulators Tuesday approved investing $40-plus million a year to improve energy efficiency in Maine. There was some wrangling over the budget numbers, and ultimate agreement among most stakeholders, but some conservation groups say the Public Utilities Commission should have done more to save Read More
Bill Seeks to Grow Solar Energy Projects in Maine
Under the legislation, the state would study solar power’s financial value and set goals for certain amounts of generation. by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Lacking oil, gas or coal reserves, Maine frets about high energy costs. But advocates say it’s virtually ignoring a major energy source that could help displace Read More
LePage Signs Bill to Label Genetically Modified Food
Maine becomes the second state to pass a law requiring food producers to label GMO food, but other states must follow before it goes into effect. By Steve Mistler, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Gov. Paul LePage has signed a bill that would require food producers to label foods that contain genetically modified Read More
Weatherization Best Way We Can Cut Energy Costs
Low-income people could be warmer for less if Congress invested more in weatherization aid. Kennebec Journal editorial Low-income heating assistance once again is becoming a political football in Washington. As surely as temperatures fall in winter and heating oil prices climb, Maine’s congressional delegation will fight for a program that can be a matter of Read More
Maine Legislature’s Energy Docket Set for Full Slate in 2014
By Scott Thistle, Sun Journal Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — The cost of energy in Maine, its production and transmission, as well as whether the mix of renewable sources is balanced, will continue to be debated at the State House in 2014. Lawmakers on the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee have Read More
Oil Use Drops; Efficiency Maine Offering Rebates to Find Alternatives
By Kathryn Skelton, Sun Journal Bangor Daily News news story Maine is the most heating-oil dependent state in the country, but figures released Thursday by the U.S. Census show its use here continuing to wane: 67.5 percent of homes relied on oil for their primary heat source in 2012, down from 69 percent in 2011 Read More
The Smart Money: Maine and Energy
by Gina Hamilton New Maine Times news story In this last of a series of Maine and its economy, we’ll look toward the future … Maine as an energy producer. Yes, Maine is poised to become a net producer of energy, but only if we play our cards right. So far, it seems that we’re Read More
