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 […]

Posted inMaine, sj-web

MPUC staff wants evaluation of natural gas plan

PORTLAND (AP) — The Public Utilities Commission staff doesn’t want Maine electric customers to be charged for a natural gas pipeline expansion in New England. But it’s nonetheless recommending accepting the proposal so it can be fully evaluated. The recommendation will help the three-member PUC decide whether Maine should move ahead with an unprecedented plan […]

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Posted inBusiness, Maine, New England, sj-web

Spectra, Northeast Utilities team up for $3 billion New England natural gas project

PORTLAND, Maine — The Houston-based Spectra Energy announced Tuesday that Northeast Utilities, New England’s largest electric utility, plans to be a co-investor in a $3 billion effort to expand two major natural gas pipelines in the region, one of which runs through Maine. Spectra’s pipeline expansion proposal was made public to a regional group coordinating […]

Posted inMaine, sj-web

Shrinking natural gas reserves threaten Maine’s pipeline plans

PORTLAND — Natural gas reserves in the U.S. are at an 11-year low, which has national energy analysts concerned and sets a backdrop in Maine for a series of precedent-setting decisions about expanding pipeline capacity for the fuel used to generate heat and electricity. Patrick Woodcock, director of the governor’s energy office, said in a […]

Posted inMaine, sj-web

Subcontractor for natural gas pipeline sues in federal court

AUGUSTA (AP) — Another federal lawsuit has been filed in connection with the installation of a natural gas pipeline in the Kennebec Valley. A subcontractor hired to install the pipeline for the $350 million Summit Natural Gas Inc. project is suing the contractor as well as an insurance company. Ursa Major Underground Inc. is suing […]

Posted inMaine, sj-web

Hundreds sign up for natural gas service in Maine

CUMBERLAND (AP) — The developer hasn’t even broken ground yet, but businesses and homeowners in Cumberland, Yarmouth and Falmouth are already signing up for natural gas service. Summit Natural Gas is preparing to break ground on the pipeline soon. Service is scheduled to begin in parts of the towns later this year. By the end […]

Posted inMaine, sj-web

Residents question safety at Searsmont natural gas pipeline station

SEARSMONT — First came the noise late New Year’s Eve at the Searsmont natural gas pipeline compressor station, so loud that it caused nearby homes to shake and some residents, frightened by the jet-engine-like roar, to pack up their cars and flee for the night. Then came the questions, as some members of the normally […]

Posted inFranklin, sj-web

University system moves forward on natural gas

FARMINGTON — The University of Maine System last week notified Summit Natural Gas and Trane U.S. Inc. that the University of Maine at Farmington would like to work with both parties to bring natural gas to campus and to convert certain University facilities to use this energy. UMF next will seek to meet with the […]

Posted inBusiness, sj-web

Maine wind, Canadian hydro, natural gas

It’s the latest way of thinking about New England’s energy future: Each state has something the others need. Maine has wind resources and the space for turbines. Southern New England has the demand for renewable energy. Maine now has a law that asks state officials to look into the best options for bringing more inexpensive […]

Posted inBusiness, sj-web

Natural gas, oil companies compete for customers

BANGOR — With the winter freeze approaching, natural gas companies are scrambling to hook up their last new customers of 2013, while Maine oil and propane dealers are trying to give their users money-saving options in hopes they won’t convert. “We’re on track to put in about 800 new services this year,” Andrew Barrowman, manager […]