Guides, lodge owners honor LePage for stance against wind power

Presentation takes place at annual retreat for financial, economics insiders

A group of economists, financial advisers, hedge fund managers and bankers…

LePage: Wind power a ‘boutique energy source’

Wind summit touts growing Maine potential

But critics say improvements in wind technology aren't necessarily a good thing for Maine.

By Tux Turkel tturkel@mainetoday.com

Staff…

Truth Test: Republican ad fails to get facts, period

It attacks two Senate candidates: independent Angus King over a loan he didn't benefit from and Democrat Cynthia Dill over bills that died before affecting taxpayers.

By Michael Shepherd …

Summers' new front against King may be in the wind

Republicans criticize the independent former governor as a wind farm developer who benefited from a controversial federal loan guarantee. Angus King, however, says he's proud of the Record Hill project.

By John Richardson …

A natural gas solution

LePage: Energy Independence Could Revitalize the American Economy

Governor Paul LePage on Monday applauded the new energy plan introduced by Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, which focuses on making America energy independent by the year 2020. The plan looks to achieve this critical goal by bringing all cost-effective sources…

8/20/12

Excerpt:

The next line of attack will likely center on crony capitalism. As governor, King signed a law requiring Maine utilities to produce at least 30 percent of their energy from renewable sources such as wind — and then, after leaving office, moved quickly to profit from the mandate he enacted by forming a wind energy business. He secured …

EXCERPT:

"The reason why those industries got venture capital is because there were government subsidies, artificial support to customers," said John Harbison, an active deal lead at Tech Coast Angels. "Those programs are going away. The political environment isn't there to support it." 

Why green energy startups are now 'toxic'

By …

Wind Energy Subsidies are as Useful as VHS Tape Subsidies

Excerpt:

Can you imagine the logic: “We can’t afford to lose our VHS tape manufacturing plants. They provide valuable jobs. Americans need a variety of ways to watch recorded entertainment.” Loris says this is what proponents of wind energy tax credits sound like.

Continue reading…

Posted: August 14

Updated: Today at 12:44 AM 

Migrating songbird elevated on 'watch' list

The Bicknell’s thrush, which can impede wind project plans, moves closer to possible U.S. protection.

By North Cairn …

Kurt Adams, chief counsel for expedited wind law pusher Gov John Baldacci becomes Baldacci's chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC). During his term there, the MPUC, overruling its own staff approves the Maine Power Reliability Project (aka the CMP upgrade) which mandates that ratepayers fund the $1.4 Billion transmission expansion in Maine. Baldacci administration proponents cite the reason to be a need for reliability due to "aging lines", completely downplaying the…

Radio Address: New England Governors Agree: Energy Reform Needed

August 4, 2012

Benjamin Franklin said there were only two things certain in life: death and taxes.

Hello. This is Governor Paul LePage.

There are two constituents that for far too long have not been represented in Augusta. They are the taxpayer and the ratepayer. It’s no secret I’m no fan of excessive taxes. I don’t believe burdening Maine people with more taxes is going to make our state…

July 29, 2012

Letter to the Editor - Maine Sunday Telegram

Citizens in Lexington and Concord townships have taken a stand. In 2008, without our input, our rural communities were haphazardly rezoned as "industrial," but for one industry only -- the wind industry.

Spain's Iberdrola Renewables has set its sights on the mountain summits of these townships.

If we were citizens in an organized town, we would have the ability to draft an ordinance to…

Aging power grid on overload as U.S. demands more electricity

http://bangordailynews.com/2012/08/02/business/aging-power-grid-on-overload-as-u-s-demands-more-electricity/

Posted: July 24

Updated: Today at 1:24 AM 

Are smart meters hurting Mainers?

The Maine Public Utilities Commission wants an answer – and decides to investigate safety concerns.

By Tux Turkel …

Posted: July 22

Updated: Today at 9:32 AM 

Electricity rates expected to climb – and climb

This month’s modest increase will be followed by more hikes over the next five years to pay for power grid upgrades.

By Tux Turkel …

The Crash Report: The Answer is Not Blowing In the Wind

Written by Crash Barry

7/19/12

Hello. This is Governor Paul LePage.

It’s the number one debate on the national front, and no I’m not talking about Obamacare. While we must find a solution to our health care crisis, what Americans and Mainers are most concerned with is the uncertainty of our economy – in short, jobs or lack thereof. But is there really a shortage of…