LEADERS?

Maine leaders pitch solutions to enhance grid as temperatures drop and electricity prices soar

By Emmett Gartner
gro.rotinomeniameht@ttemme
Published on: February 13, 2026

EXCERPTS

...............Bartlett with the Public Utilities Commission was similarly direct about the approach he believes Maine should take to lower electricity prices. Maine needs to enhance the grid’s load flexibility — its ability to efficiently dispatch and conserve electricity during periods of high demand, he said, echoing the findings of the Brattle Group report.

“There’s a lot we need to do both in terms of replacing outdated assets but also modernizing the grid so that it can accommodate [electric vehicles]..................

........“Being overly reliant on natural gas when we have a pipeline constraint system is just not workable,” Bartlett said............................

..............Cornerstone energy policy consultant Jeremy Payne was blunt at the Augusta legislative forum about what he sees as impeding Maine from diversifying energy sources to lower electricity prices long term.

It’s taking too long for generation projects such as wind or solar farms to get through initial state environmental review and ultimately connect to the New England grid, said Payne, who is the former long-time director of the Maine Renewable Energy Association.............................

https://themainemonitor.org/grid-enhancement-solutions-pitched/

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