A combination of unseasonably warm temperatures and lower prices for heating oil and gasoline offers a welcome change from the norm.
natural gas
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Maine eyed for project that converts electricity to storable gas
Wind and other renewables produce excess power that could be used in the state’s natural gas pipeline system.
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Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Summit to tap dairy cows to make pipeline gas
Summit Natural Gas unveils a plan to make biogas from cow manure on a farm in Clinton and pump it into their pipeline network.
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Safety procedures reviewed in wake of Mass. explosions
Maine public safety officials and natural gas companies said they will be reviewing safety measures in the wake of the series of explosions in Massachusetts that destroyed dozens of homes, killed one person and injured at least 25 others on Thursday. Early indications are that the lines were over-pressurized, forcing gas into homes and other […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Safety tips when using natural gas
The Maine Public Utilities Commission issued the following safety tips for residents who use natural gas or propane: If you are indoors and smell gas, you should: • Leave the structure immediately and make sure that all other occupants do the same. • Don’t turn on or off any electrical equipment or light switches, or […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
PUC sees little benefit in gas pipeline for Maine ratepayers
AUGUSTA — A recent report says Maine taxpayers are unlikely to benefit from plans to invest up to $75 million a year into storing natural gas in liquid form. The report found 11 proposals received by the Maine Public Utilities Commission are not expected to provide a big return on investment for ratepayers if the […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine PUC votes to expand natural gas capacity
AUGUSTA — The Maine Public Utilities Commission has approved a plan to require utility ratepayers to help pay for expanded natural gas. The three-member panel rejected a staff recommendation in voting unanimously for the proposal on Tuesday. But Maine would participate only if four other New England states follow suit with similar plans. Vermont wasn’t […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine PUC says state shouldn’t fund natural gas expansion
PORTLAND — The staff of the Maine Public Utilities Commission is recommending against spending up to $75 million a year to expand natural gas pipeline capacity in New England. The recommendation issued Wednesday is a potential setback for Maine Gov. Paul LePage’s efforts to boost pipeline capacity to bring more natural gas into the energy […]
Posted inLocal & State
Not on oil? A quick look at the rest of Maine’s heating marketplace
* Wood Many homeowners who’ve moved off heating oil have turned to burning cordwood and pellets, according to Lisa Smith at the Governor’s Energy Office. Thirteen percent of Maine homes now rely on wood heat, the second-highest rate in the country, as counted by the 2010 U.S. Census. Smith only started tracking wood-pellet prices two […]
Posted inFranklin
Farmington board considers hooking into UMF heating plant
FARMINGTON — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday will discuss connecting the Community Center to a central heating plant planned for the University of Maine at Farmington. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, at the Municipal Building. The proposed 5,000-square-foot biomass plant is planned for a parking area at Quebec and Perkins […]