The study was published by the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University in Boston, which has received significant funding from fossil fuel interests.

Jeremy Payne of the Maine Renewable Energy Association says the study was flawed, perhaps purposely, because it based its calculations on assumptions that renewable energy prices projected by the U.S. Energy Information Administration were too low and states wouldn’t enforce built-in cost containment measures.

A spokeswoman for LePage told The Portland Press Herald that the administration was unaware of the Beacon Hill Institute’s backing from fossil-fuel interests.