A bill to formalize the change is headed to Gov. Janet Mills. The move delays limits on sales of gas-powered vehicles from being implemented until at least 2025.
Stephen Singer
Stephen Singer writes about energy and utilities for the Press Herald. He began covering the arcane beat in 1999-2000 as a statehouse reporter for The Associated Press in Charleston, W.Va., as the Legislature -- with many others in the U.S. -- set about the task of deregulating energy. Singer picked up the beat for the AP in Hartford, Conn., expanding his reporting to cover the six New England states. A newcomer to Maine, he prefers blueberries to lobster.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Compromise calls for studying natural gas use in Maine, rather than restricting it
Legislation that calls for studies of natural gas use passed the House, but it was criticized by a Democrat as ‘watered down’ and a Republican who said it’s unnecessary.
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Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Worker injured by electric shock from power line in Biddeford
The Consolidated Communications technician who was injured last week is recovering at Maine Medical Center in Portland.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
CMP ratepayers could see bills jump 12% to cover rising solar power subsidies
The utility is asking the Maine Public Utilities Commission for permission to bill ratepayers $116 million for subsidies paid to solar developers in the net energy billing program that is part of Maine’s effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Posted inElections, Maine, Politics
Susan Collins won’t vote for Trump: ‘I don’t think it should surprise anyone’
Maine’s senior senator said she doesn’t know how she will vote in November, rejecting both President Biden and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as well as the Republican frontrunner.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Maine House rebuffs plan to use performance as guide for utility rates
Several Democrats joined solid Republican opposition to reject legislation that proposes a first step in judging utilities’ performance when setting rates.
Posted inMaine, News
Thousands of Mainers still without power in wake of devastating ice storm
Additional line crews from Canada and other New England states arrived Monday to help CMP repair damage from the storm. Even so, restoration efforts could extend into Wednesday in some areas.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Proposal to give lawmakers final say over Maine’s electric vehicle standards sails through committee
The committee unanimously approved a bill declaring electric vehicle rules to be the responsibility of lawmakers and not the Board of Environmental Protection, an appointed citizen board that rejected EV rules the previous day.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Maine board rejects mandate to boost electric vehicle sales by 2032
Suggesting lawmakers should take up such sweeping changes, the Board of Environmental Protection votes 4-2 against the rules on the same day that the Biden administration rolls out the country’s strongest-ever limits on tailpipe pollution.
Posted inBusiness, Politics
Critics call plan for Searsport offshore wind site ‘dangerous precedent,’ point to coastal impacts
Wind power advocates and conservationists looking to protect Sears Island from use as a wind power hub presented their points of view to lawmakers, who must choose between the two sides.