The Maine PUC is Still on Their" Screw the Ratepayer" Mission

by Dan McKay

on Thursday

The question is how will the PUC spin these offers so that "the likely benefits will exceed the likely costs. "

Historically they have based their estimates on higher prices for market electricity in the latter years of the contract will exceed the contracted prices. Of course they will, the multitude of all these contracts made through the PUC is what is causing market electricity prices to spiral upward. 

These are the PUC's initial selections, no disclosure of where they are to be built or pricing offers.  

The final selection of the proposals submitted in the DEEP procurement will be
made jointly with Connecticut and the other participating states. At this time the
Commission identifies the proposed generation projects for which contracting for all or a
portion of the output would be beneficial for Maine ratepayers. These projects are:
Project 38, up to a maximum of 15 megawatts (MW);
Project 42, up to a maximum of 5.5 MW;
Project 40, up to a maximum of 6 MW;
Project 24, up to a maximum of 15 MW;
Project 23, up to a maximum of 11 MW; and
Project 22, up to a maximum of 4 MW.
Commission Staff is directed to work with Connecticut and the other states
participating in this procurement to determine a final allocation for Maine of the output of
these projects, up to the specified maximum amounts.

  • Dan McKay

    Here the Efficiency Maine Trust provides an example of using "Spin" to get weary ratepayers to believe in them: The Trust is directed by the legislature to “Reduce the price of electricity over time for all consumers by reducing or shifting demand for electricity or balancing load, including by the
    implementation of beneficial electrification and energy storage systems.” 

    Sorry, EMT, your credibility went into the toilet with the heat pump and EV debacle. 

    EMT wants Portland to try out the electricity of last resort: batteries. They are so useless now. This bureaucracy should face elimination.They are funded through a direct tax on electricity bills (up to 4%). Of course they want everyone to heat and transport themselves via electricity; the more electricity used , the more it  fills their coffers. Now that the Trump administration is ending subsidies, they are looking for more statewide income sources. EMT, also, gets all the RGGI money that raises electricity supply costs, like the rate hike coming Jan.1, 2026, up to 30%! 

    on Thursday