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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 inMaine
Mills administration taking next steps to advance Sears Island offshore wind project
After selecting Sears Island as a hub for Maine’s floating offshore wind industry, the Mills administration is proposing legislation allowing construction of a wind terminal in a coastal sand dune system.
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Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Feds announce 2 million-acre site in Gulf of Maine for offshore floating wind project
The selected wind energy area is 80% smaller than originally planned and federal energy officials say it avoids conflicts with lobster fishing and North Atlantic right whale habitat. Maine lobstermen say another area where right whales have been seen remains in the designated area.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Maine regulators might let utilities report surges in power use as way to identify illegal cannabis grows
Versant Power, which calls illegal marijuana operations an ‘escalating problem,’ proposed the change to allow it, CMP and other utilities to disclose confidential customer information to law enforcement when there is ‘good faith belief’ of a crime.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, Politics
Legislators want final say over Maine’s electric vehicle rules
Democratic leaders and a group of Republicans seek to shift oversight of Maine’s clean car standards from a citizen board to state lawmakers.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Spanish energy giant Iberdrola offers to buy rest of CMP parent company for $2.5 billion
It’s unclear what, if any, impact the deal would have on the customers of Central Maine Power Co., the state’s largest electric utility.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Maine lawmakers opt to study natural gas use, regulations instead of limiting pipeline expansion
A legislative committee approved a compromise to study natural gas use after a proposal to curtail the fossil fuel drew fierce opposition from the industry and business allies.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Freeport shopping center sells for $20 million at auction
The company that holds the mortgage on the Freeport Village Center bought the 3.6-acre complex after the auctioneer received only one bid for $5 million, well below the $32.5 million assessed value.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, Politics
Legislature considers limiting seizure of private land to build power lines
It’s one of several proposals being negotiated as lawmakers seek middle ground between developers of transmission lines and property owners whose land would be impacted.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Central Maine Power asks regulators for $162 million reimbursement for storm repairs
If approved by regulators, electricity rates will go up for more than 635,000 CMP customers.