Efficiency Maine Trust seeks input on 3-year plan that will go to PUC NRCM News Release Augusta, ME – Today, as the Efficiency Maine Trust is holding a public input session, a diverse group of experts called on Efficiency Maine and the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to develop and approve, respectively, a strong three-year Read More
omnibus energy bill
Maine AG Kicks Energy Efficiency “And” Rule Back to Regulators
By Darren Fishell, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine — Maine Attorney General Janet Mills’ office has returned to utilities regulators a controversial rule limiting funding for state energy efficiency programs, prompting a new rulemaking process. The routine rulemaking step comes after a legislative session that generated political controversy about that specific Read More
Lawmakers Unanimously Override LePage Veto of Efficiency Maine Funding Bill
The proposal, known as the ‘missing and’ bill, fixes a clerical error made in the state’s 2013 energy law. By Steve Mistler. Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — The Legislature overrode several more vetoes by Gov. Paul LePage on Tuesday, including his rejection of a bill that corrects a one-word clerical error Read More
‘Typo’ Bill to Restore $38 Million to Efficiency Maine Passes through Legislature
By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill that seeks to fix what has been widely described as a $38 million typo in a 2013 energy bill is en route to Gov. Paul LePage, who has indicated he won’t support it. LD 1215, which was sponsored by Assistant Read More
Maine Legislature Gives Final Approval to Efficiency Bill to Fix the “And” (LD 1215)
Senate Approves Bill Unanimously, Under the Hammer Sending it to the Governor’s Desk Statement of Dylan Voorhees, NRCM Clean Energy Director “We applaud the Senate and the full Legislature for final passage of this simple bill to uphold the clear legislative intent of the omnibus energy bill and save Maine people and businesses a billion Read More
Bill to Fix Clerical Error in Maine Energy-efficiency Law Advances
But its prospects are uncertain because of a likely veto by LePage. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A bill correcting a one-word clerical error potentially worth $38 million for an energy-efficiency program moved closer to final passage in the Legislature on Monday after weeks on the back burner. Read More
Partisan Struggle Over Maine Energy Policy Persists
by Scott Thistle, Sun Journal Sun Journal news story AUGUSTA, Maine — The $38 million fallout from a missing “and” — along with a push by Republican lawmakers and Gov. Paul LePage to create a new Cabinet-level Department of Energy — highlights the ongoing struggle the state’s top policymakers face as they try to combat Read More
How a Missing Word and a Few Misguided Bills Could Undermine Maine’s Energy Future
By Annie Gilleo, Senior Policy Analyst at ACEEE American Council for an Energy-Efficiency Economy Blog Post Who knew an “and” could unravel everything? In Maine, we’re seeing just how much damage three missing letters can do. In 2013, the Maine legislature passed the Omnibus Energy Act, stabilizing funding for the energy efficiency programs led by Read More
PUC Stands by Efficiency Maine Funding Decision
By MaineBiz Staff Writer MaineBiz News Story The Maine Public Utilities Commission has decided against reconsidering its controversial decision to essentially cut $38 million from Efficiency Maine’s budget. The Portland Press Herald reported that the PUC voted 2-1 on Wednesday against reconsidering its interpretation of a 2013 law that determines Efficiency Maine’s state funding formula. Read More
