Tune-in at 1:00PM Today: EUT Committee (Wed, Apr 29)

The importance of having firm generation capacity as opposed to non-dispatchable sources like wind power may be touched upon today in the discussion of LD 1313. As noted in FMM's most recent legislative update,  LD 1313 would remove the referendum requirement for installing nuclear plants that are small. The idea in this Governor's bill is that we need firm generation capacity as opposed to non-dispatchable capacity. Next-generation nukes might provide viable options, so the Administration wants to "expedite" (for lack of a better term) their development.

Listen live on the Web 

After clicking the link below, turn up your speakers and use the audio buttons immediately to the right of the words "Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee Room (EUT)".

http://legislature.maine.gov/committee/#Audio/211

Descriptions of the three audio buttons are as follows:

If they start late or take a break, there will be dead air.

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Committee On Energy, Utilities and Technology
Cross Building, Room 211, 287-4143

Public Hearing, Tue, Apr 28, 2015 at 1:00 PM for about 4 hours

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From FMM:

If you're interested in stopping the onslaught of grid-scale wind energy in Maine, this week there will be four noteworthy public hearings and one work session. The hearings are all in the Utilities Committee.  Click here for more information, and to contact committee members.

 

 Back to Nukes? 

 LD 1313 would remove the referendum requirement for installing nuclear plants that are small. The idea in this Governor's bill is that we need firm generation capacity as opposed to non-dispatchable capacity. Next-generation nukes might provide viable options, so the Administration wants to "expedite" (for lack of a better term) their development.

 

 Re-Write the Wind Act

 LD 1314 would make wide improvements to Maine's energy plan, particularly with respect to failed wind energy policies, similar to LD 1329. This is also an Administration bill, and it includes much of what we have sought for years.

 

Re-restructuring

 LD 1315 would allow utilities to own generation in

future (this would appear to exclude a CMP - Iberdrola Renewables pairing) affiliations, subject to strict standards and approvals. Outside of a policy world where fads and unsustainable methodologies get "into the mix" on the strength of their ability to lobby for mandates, the thinking is that utilities will make solid scientific decisions about generation investments. 

 

 Ratebuster

 LD 1339 would give the PUC a legislative charge to reduce the Standard Offer price below 10 cents, even if that requires suspension of renewables mandates. It is likely to hit an army of the lobbyists mentioned in the LD 1315 description immediately above.  

 

 Scenic Impact Legislation

 LD 911 had its public hearing last week, with a work session scheduled for this Wednesday in the Environment Committee. This is an excellent bill that was inspired by a State Energy Office report. It could protect Maine's most precious resources. At the hearing there was strong testimony in favor of Maine finally doing what the writers of the Wind Law never considered.  To read FMM's testimony, click here. For more information on that committee, including how to contact members before they vote, click here.  

 

FMM Seeks to Right the Wrongs of the Wind Law

 

FMM's bill is printed. LD 1329, sponsored by Representative Beth O'Connor, proposes several overdue changes. It has not yet been scheduled for a public hearing. Along with several other bills, some mentioned above, the legislature has some excellent ideas this spring for fixing the mess that is the Wind Law.  

 

Status of the Two Citizens' Rights Bills

 

LD 791 is a Wind Lobby bill that incredibly seeks to expand the abilities of wind developers to run roughshod over rural Maine and its residents. The Agriculture Committee voted last week, with only four of the 13 members in favor. Find out how they voted here. 

  

LD 828 is a citizen-written bill that seeks to restore the abilities of rural Mainers who need to have some control over wind development in their communities, like other Mainers have. Last week the Agriculture Committee decided to keep the bill alive so that they can continue working on it. To learn more about this important legislation and how you can contact the committee CLICK HERE. You might thank those nine legislators who voted to kill LD 791, and especially thank Senator Tom Saviello, who has been a leader in both the Agriculture Committee and the Environment Committee. 

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Committee On Energy, Utilities and Technology

Members & Staff
Senator David Woodsome of York, Chair R, Senate District 33 1156 Sokokis Trail Waterboro, ME 04061 Phone: , e-mail: David.Woodsome@legislature.maine.gov
Senator Dawn Hill of York D, Senate District 35 PO Box 701 Cape Neddick, ME 03902 Phone: 207-337-3689, e-mail: Dawn.Hill@legislature.maine.gov
Senator Garrett Mason of Androscoggin R, Senate District 22 PO Box 395 Lisbon Falls, ME 04252 Phone: 207-577-1521, e-mail: Garrett.Mason@legislature.maine.gov
Representative Mark Dion of Portland, Chair D, House District 43 45 Allison Avenue PORTLAND, ME 04103 Phone: 207-797-6341, e-mail: Mark.Dion@legislature.maine.gov
Representative Christopher Babbidge of Kennebunk D, House District 8 84 Stratford Place Kennebunk, ME 04043 Phone: 207-985-3332, e-mail: Chris.Babbidge@legislature.maine.gov
Representative Roberta Beavers of South Berwick D, House District 2 72 Woodland Hills SOUTH BERWICK, ME 03908 Phone: 603-781-9529, e-mail: Bobbi.Beavers@legislature.maine.gov
Representative Jennifer DeChant of Bath D, House District 52 1008 Middle Street Bath, ME 04530 Phone: , e-mail: Jennifer.DeChant@legislature.maine.gov
Representative Larry Dunphy of Embden R, House District 118 PO Box 331 NORTH ANSON, ME 04958 Phone: 207-635-2831, e-mail: Larry.Dunphy@legislature.maine.gov
Representative Martin Grohman of Biddeford D, House District 12 9 Lisa Lane Biddeford, ME 04005 Phone: , e-mail: Martin.Grohman@legislature.maine.gov
Representative Norman Higgins of Dover-Foxcroft R, House District 120 PO Box 594 Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 Phone: , e-mail: Norman.Higgins@legislature.maine.gov
Representative Beth O'Connor of Berwick R, House District 5 92 Sullivan Street BERWICK, ME 03901 Phone: 207-698-7899, e-mail: Beth.O'Connor@legislature.maine.gov
Representative Deane Rykerson of Kittery D, House District 1 1 Salt Marsh Lane Kittery Point, ME 03905 Phone: , e-mail: Deane.Rykerson@legislature.maine.gov
Representative Nathan Wadsworth of Hiram R, House District 70 PO Box 321 Cornish, ME 04020 Phone: , e-mail: Nathan.Wadsworth@legislature.maine.gov
Benjamin Frech, Committee Clerk Legislative Information Office 100 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 Phone: 287-4143, e-mail: Benjamin.Frech@legislature.maine.gov
Deirdre Schneider, OPLA Analyst Office of Policy and Legal Analysis 13 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 Phone: 287-1670, e-mail: Deirdre.Schneider@legislature.maine.gov

MORE EMAIL ADDRESSES

Beth O'Connor	LIBERTYMOM1@MSN.COM
Christopher Babbidge	babbidge@roadrunner.com
David Woodsome	dcwoodsome@gmail.com
Dawn Hill	dawnhill@maine.rr.com
Deane Rykerson	rykersonforkittery@gmail.com
Garrett Mason	garrettpaulmason@gmail.com
Jennifer DeChant	jdechant@me.com
Larry Dunphy	SKIME2@ROADRUNNER.COM
Mark Dion	mndion@msn.com
Martin Grohman	martin.j.grohman@gmail.com
Nathan Wadsworth	NATHANWADSWORTH@HOTMAIL.COM
Norman Higgins	NORMEHIGGINS@GMAIL.COM
Roberta Beavers	rbbeavers@comcast.net