Gov. Mills plans new Maine energy department

Maine Public | By Peter McGuire
Published January 8, 2025 at 4:55 PM EST

Governor Janet Mills wants to create a Maine Department of Energy Resources similar to agencies in every other New England state.

A proposal in Mills' two-year budget would recast the current Governor’s Energy Office into a cabinet-level Maine Department of Energy Resources. The change would be budget-neutral, according to the governor.

"By transitioning the energy office to a department, we can strengthen our ability to bring down the cost of energy, ensure that our energy infrastructure is strong and reliable for all Maine people, and have a greater say in our energy future,” Mills said in a press release.

Maine is the only northeast state that doesn’t have a cabinet-level agency dedicated to energy matters. Instead, it is an office responsible for policy and planning that reports to the governor.

Moving to a state agency would align with the added workload lawmakers have put on the office in recent years. That includes steering more than $200 million in federal investment to grid improvement, energy efficiency and workforce development projects, office director Dan Burgess said in an interview.

And a standalone department would have additional authority to guide competitive energy procurement as Maine tries to lower costs, improve reliability and hit clean energy targets, he added.

"A cabinet seat that’s focused on energy issues represents the importance of the issue and will put Maine in a stronger position to achieve those goals," Burgess said.

Continue reading at https://www.mainepublic.org/climate/2025-01-08/gov-mills-plans-new-...

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Comment by Willem Post on January 12, 2025 at 6:21am

CO2 Has a Very Minor Role in the Atmosphere

https://www.windtaskforce.org/profiles/blogs/co2-has-a-very-minor-r...

By Willem Post

Comment by arthur qwenk on January 11, 2025 at 9:03pm

Please keep these maniacal Global Warming Cultists and Unreliable Energy Lunatics in Maine for the good of the nation! The best thing we could do with this group of  Greenwashed Wokies would  be to employ them in Maine by  doing some real ecological good deeds such as picking up  garbage and working with the homeless in downtown  Portland . With Trump's cuts coming in renewable subsidies they will have something to look forward to .

Comment by Dan McKay on January 10, 2025 at 7:05am

Take a look at this bunch, young, indoctrinated, over schooled and lacking in experience.

What we have here is a failure of critical thinking.

Promoting them to more power is a big mistake.

Having listened to them stumble through questioning by the EUT Committee, one realizes they are there to echo NRCM and Sierra Club talking points. There is no way they should be involved with energy policy.

Maine has the PUC, the DEP and a Governor to represent us in proceedings with ISO-NE, FERC, The Federal Dept of Energy, NOAA, RGGI, NESCOE. They do enough damage. Why fortify a losing proposition with a bunch of No Minds?

About


The Maine Governor's Energy Office (GEO), established within the Executive Department and directly responsible to the Governor, is the designated state energy office tasked with a wide range of activities relating to state energy policies, planning, and development. As the lead energy office for the state, GEO is responsible for several activities such as providing policy leadership and technical assistance, developing energy programs, monitoring energy markets, and reporting on heating fuel and energy prices. GEO works in partnership with various state agencies, federal and local officials, industry, nonprofit interests, and academia on energy issues.

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Our Team

Dan Burgess was appointed as Director of the Governor’s Energy Office by Governor Janet Mills in 2019. As Director of GEO, Dan advises the Governor, leads the state’s energy office and its dynamic team, represents Maine in regional and national forums, and serves on the board of the Efficiency Maine Trust as well as the board of the National Association of State Energy Officials. Born and raised in Central Maine (Newport), Dan returned to his home state of Maine to build upon eight years of leadership experience in clean energy development. Prior to his current role at GEO, Dan served as Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, in Boston, MA and prior to that as Acting Commissioner. Before that, he worked as Legislative Director for Energy at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in Boston, MA. Dan earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Maine and a Master of Public Administration from Northeastern University.

Celina Cunningham serves as the Governor’s Energy Office as Deputy Director. As Deputy Director, Celina advises the Governor and state leaders on energy policies and programs, leads Maine’s Offshore Wind Initiative, works to secure funding for renewable energy programs and policies in Maine, and leads the renewable energy and markets team. She brings extensive experience to the role with a background in energy, climate, and natural resource management in the public and private sectors. Prior to joining GEO, Celina served as Vice President and Chief of Staff for the Solar Energy Industries Association in Washington, D.C. Before that, she served in the Obama Administration as Senior Advisor at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and as well as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management at the U.S. Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C. Celina served as Legislative Director for then-U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee. Celina earned a Bachelor of Arts from the Colorado College and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maine.

Lisa Smith has served as Senior Planner for the Maine Governor’s Energy Office since 2012. Lisa manages and administers federal grants; conducts energy planning and policy analysis; facilitates and participates in numerous advisory boards and working groups on energy issues such as heat pumps, electric vehicles, biomass, and delivered fuels; and monitors legislative and regulatory activity. She also maintains the heating fuel price database and is the primary contact on delivered fuels issues. Lisa’s academic background is in energy, environmental science, policy, and economics.

Ethan Tremblay serves as Policy and Markets Program Manager for the Governor's Energy Office. Ethan leads a team focusing on renewable energy, energy storage, and grid modernization policy initiatives and programs. He conducts and oversees policy and regulatory analysis, funding programs, and various planning and stakeholder engagement activities. Before joining the office, he worked for a global consulting firm supporting public and private sector clients with program design and evaluation, data management, and technology innovation services. Ethan holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and a Master of Science in Resource Economics and Policy from the University of Maine.

Stephanie Watson serves as the Maine Offshore Wind Program Manager in the Governor’s Energy Office. Stephanie grew up on Mount Desert Island and earned graduate degrees in Ecology and Environmental Science and Information Science and Engineering from the University of Maine. She has spent the last 20 years working in both the public and private sectors, focusing on coalition building projects on energy, data systems, economic development, and the environment along the U.S. Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico coasts.

Tagwongo Obomsawin serves as the Clean Energy Partnership Program Manager for the Governor's Energy Office. Prior to joining the office, she worked for several years in Maine's renewable energy industry and with small businesses focused on decarbonization, electrification, and local economic development. Tagwongo grew up in Farmington, Maine and earned her Master's in Business Administration from Bard College, and Bachelor's in Economics from the University of Maine.

Kelly Strait serves as the Clean Energy Finance Program Manager for the Maine Governor's Energy Office. Prior to joining the office, Kelly spent more than 20 years in the energy sector, working in both public and private capacities. Her expertise includes the development and implementation of clean energy policy initiatives for New York State, as well as managing a wide range of electric distribution projects as a consultant for various investor-owned utilities throughout the Northeast. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Afton Vigue serves as the Communications Manager for the Governor's Energy Office. Prior to joining the office, she worked in Maine’s aquaculture sector where she developed and executed communications campaigns to advance public support for sustainable aquaculture in the state. Afton grew up in Tenants Harbor, Maine and holds a Master of Science in Resource Economics and Policy from the University of Maine.

Caroline Colan serves as the Legislative Liaison and Energy Policy Analyst for the Governor’s Energy Office. Prior to joining the office, she worked for Senator Angus King of Maine where she assisted and advised his work on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and on energy and climate policy more broadly, drafted energy legislation, and engaged with Maine constituents on these topics. Caroline holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography from Middlebury College.

Pam Grimshaw serves as the Finance and Operations Manager for the Governor’s Energy Office in Maine. She has 20 years of state, quasi-state and municipal fiscal and operations leadership experience, her most recent post being Program Financial Officer for Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Pam grew up in central Maine and earned a business degree from the University of Maine and a master's degree in Business Administration from Thomas College.

Kiera Reardon serves as Senior Regulatory Analyst for the Maine Governor's Energy Office. Prior to joining the office, Kiera coordinated and advanced public-private collaboration related to utility pole access. She also brings eight years of experience with the Maine Office of the Public Advocate where she collaborated with State agencies, partner groups, and communities to study and address current utility issues facing low-income residents. Kiera holds a Master of Science from the University of Vermont and two Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Maine.

Ross Anthony serves as the Buildings and Energy Efficiency Analyst for the Maine Governor’s Energy Office. In his previous role, Ross was a consultant for energy industry projects for commercial, industrial, and residential energy efficiency and market assessments, demand side management, climate change mitigation, and energy savings potential at the state and federal level for public and private clients. Ross was born and raised in Evansville, IN and holds a B.S. in Economics from the University of Evansville and a M.S. in Resource Economics and Policy from the University of Maine.

Meghan Suslovic serves as the Offshore Wind Energy Policy Analyst for the Governor’s Energy Office. Meghan grew up in Portland and holds a B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy from Smith College and an Offshore Wind Professional Certificate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Prior to joining the office, Meghan worked for the City of Cambridge (MA) in the Community Development Department on net zero policy design and energy efficiency program management and then for a small, renewable energy consulting firm on project sales and support.

Wendy Crosier is the Markets and Procurement Analyst for the Governor's Energy Office. Previously, Wendy conducted research as a Clean Energy Innovation Fellow with the U.S. Department of Energy. Wendy is a graduate of the University of Maine, where she was awarded a fellowship through the Center for Undergraduate Research to assist in developing a clean energy network in Maine with support from the Mitchell Center for Sustainability and the School of Economics.

Emma Cost serves as the Clean Transportation Coordinator for the Governor's Energy Office. Prior to joining the office, Emma worked at a consulting firm where she provided clean transportation technical assistance to federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). She also worked at the Greater Portland Council of Governments, primarily supporting Maine Clean Communities, a state-wide clean transportation coalition designated by the DOE. Emma grew up in Waterboro, Maine and earned a bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning and Policy from the University of Southern Maine.

Sabrina Jandreau serves the Clean Energy Partnership Economic Development Coordinator for the Governor's Energy Office. Prior to joining the office, Sabrina worked for a nonprofit economic development corporation to advance business expansion and investments in sustainable community and economic development. Her background includes community planning, grant writing, and creating programs to support entrepreneurship and workforce development. Sabrina holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, Economics, and Law from Gordon College.

Erin Ferrell serves as the Solar for All Coordinator for the Governor’s Energy Office. Prior to joining the office, Erin worked for the City of Portland Sustainability Office to implement programs to improve energy efficiency in municipal, commercial, and residential buildings. She also served two AmeriCorps service terms focused on energy efficiency and climate action planning in Maine. Erin earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from the University of Dayton.

Sy Coffey is a Clean Energy Innovator Fellow through the U.S. Department of Energy and hosted by the Governor’s Energy Office. During his fellowship, Sy will be working on projects related to community engagement, federal funding opportunities, and related clean energy initiatives. Prior to joining the office, Sy completed a year of service with AmeriCorps in Sacramento, CA, and brings experience in corporate sustainability and community engagement. He holds a B.A. in Sustainability and a B.S. in Commerce from the University of Virginia.

Lindsay Gilton is a Clean Energy Fellow hosted by the Governor's Energy Office. During her fellowship, Lindsay will be working on projects related to grid resilience, transmission, and offshore wind. Previously, Lindsay held research and internship positions with the Office of U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship, and Global Partners LP. Lindsay grew up in north central Connecticut and holds a B.A. in Political Science and Managing for Social Impact and the Common Good from Boston College.

Robert (Bob) Snook serves as the Transmission Program Coordinator for the Governor's Energy Office. Prior to joining the office, Bob worked for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on regional transmission issues and state clean energy procurement projects. In his personal capacity, Bob works with the United States Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of State on transmission planning and development internationally in support of clean energy initiatives. He holds a B.S. and an M.S. in Geology from the University of Massachusetts and a J.D. from Western New England University.


U.S. Sen Angus King

THE UNTOLD STORY OF RECORD HILL WIND

The Untold Story of Record Hill Wind, continued

 

Maine as Third World Country:

CMP Transmission Rate Skyrockets 19.6% Due to Wind Power

 

Click here to read how the Maine ratepayer has been sold down the river by the Angus King cabal.

Maine Center For Public Interest Reporting – Three Part Series: A CRITICAL LOOK AT MAINE’S WIND ACT

******** IF LINKS BELOW DON'T WORK, GOOGLE THEM*********

(excerpts) From Part 1 – On Maine’s Wind Law “Once the committee passed the wind energy bill on to the full House and Senate, lawmakers there didn’t even debate it. They passed it unanimously and with no discussion. House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, a Democrat from North Haven, says legislators probably didn’t know how many turbines would be constructed in Maine if the law’s goals were met." . – Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, August 2010 https://www.pinetreewatchdog.org/wind-power-bandwagon-hits-bumps-in-the-road-3/From Part 2 – On Wind and Oil Yet using wind energy doesn’t lower dependence on imported foreign oil. That’s because the majority of imported oil in Maine is used for heating and transportation. And switching our dependence from foreign oil to Maine-produced electricity isn’t likely to happen very soon, says Bartlett. “Right now, people can’t switch to electric cars and heating – if they did, we’d be in trouble.” So was one of the fundamental premises of the task force false, or at least misleading?" https://www.pinetreewatchdog.org/wind-swept-task-force-set-the-rules/From Part 3 – On Wind-Required New Transmission Lines Finally, the building of enormous, high-voltage transmission lines that the regional electricity system operator says are required to move substantial amounts of wind power to markets south of Maine was never even discussed by the task force – an omission that Mills said will come to haunt the state.“If you try to put 2,500 or 3,000 megawatts in northern or eastern Maine – oh, my god, try to build the transmission!” said Mills. “It’s not just the towers, it’s the lines – that’s when I begin to think that the goal is a little farfetched.” https://www.pinetreewatchdog.org/flaws-in-bill-like-skating-with-dull-skates/

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Hannah Pingree on the Maine expedited wind law

Hannah Pingree - Director of Maine's Office of Innovation and the Future

"Once the committee passed the wind energy bill on to the full House and Senate, lawmakers there didn’t even debate it. They passed it unanimously and with no discussion. House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, a Democrat from North Haven, says legislators probably didn’t know how many turbines would be constructed in Maine."

https://pinetreewatch.org/wind-power-bandwagon-hits-bumps-in-the-road-3/

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