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Research, reports, press statements, government communications and other important documents about energy and climate.
Related News.
Maine’s solar policies drive another big electric rate increase
Bangor Daily News
June 13, 2023
Maine regulators approved another big hike to electricity bills Tuesday for customers of the state’s major utilities, driven by solar subsidies that have been criticized by the state’s ratepayer advocate in recent weeks.
Unfortunately, I Care About Power Lines Now
The Atlantic
July 28, 2021
“If America wants to fight climate change—or enjoy the benefits of a modern economy—it must get much better at building electricity transmission. Yikes.”
Solar Wins Big in Project Selection to Advance Maine’s Clean Energy Goals
Portland Press Herald
September 22, 2020
“Maine’s ambitious clean-energy and climate-fighting goals reached an important milestone Tuesday when the state Public Utilities Commission approved contracts for 17 renewable power projects – largely solar, but also wind, biomass and hydroelectric.”
E2Tech Hosts a Webinar on June 10, 2020 titled, "Blueprint for a Zero Carbon Economy: Achieving Maine's Climate Goals" featuring Dr. Rich Silkman, Dr. Richard Perez, Dr. Jurgen Weiss, and Kurt Adams as Panelists
E2Tech
June 10, 2020
In relevant news, E2Tech hosted a webinar on June 10, 2020 titled “Blueprint for a Zero Carbon Economy: Achieving Maine's Climate Goals” that featured Dr. Rich Silkman, Dr. Richard Perez, Dr. Jurgen Weiss, and Kurt Adams as experts panelists. The webinar provided different perspectives—each based on science and facts, not emotions—on how Maine can, and perhaps should, achieve its climate goals. The panelist presentations are available here: Dr. Rich Silkman, Dr. Richard Perez, Dr. Jurgen Weiss, and Kurt Adams. A recording of the webinar is available to watch here: "BluePrint for a Zero Carbon Economy: Achieving Maine's Climate Goals."
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For IECG, even having this discussion is a step in the direction to Getting Maine Climate Right. Noteworthy is the common belief among panelists that electrification, to some large degree, coupled with an expansion of the grid (including new transmission lines) is necessary and cost and reliability cannot be sacrificed.
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Energy Information Administration, Today in Energy
Read the articles below.
February 4, 2020
Coal-fired electricity generation in New England and New York has diminished
January 30, 2020
EIA expects U.S. electricity generation from renewables to soon surpass nuclear and coal
January 22, 2020
EIA projects less than a quarter of the world’s electricity generated from coal by 2050
January 17, 2020
EIA expects U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions to decrease annually through 2021
January 16, 2020
EIA forecasts slower growth in natural gas-fired generation while renewable energy rises
January 2, 2020
U.S. electricity generation from renewables surpassed coal in April
R.I. utility companies to buy 50MW of power from Conn. solar development
February 5, 2020
“Another example of the cost-advantage to large-scale solar procured through competition: a 50 MW solar project in Rhode Island will provide electricity and Renewable Energy Credits for just 5.3 cents per kilowatt-hour.”
Maine Aqua Ventus Contract Approved
State of Maine
Office of the Maine Public Utilities Commission
November 5, 2019
“The Commission is pleased to approve this contract which provides Maine Aqua Ventus (MAV) the opportunity to demonstrate the commercial viability of this technology while also providing Maine with a new clean renewable energy resource, said Chairman Philip L. Bartlett. MAV also has the potential of providing significant benefits to Maine’s economy.”
Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) Approves Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the New England Clean Energy Connect Transmission Line
State of Maine
Office of the Maine Public Utilities Commission
April 11, 2019
“The economic benefits to Maine are very real and substantial said Commissioner Bruce Williamson, including energy market and capacity market effects. This reduces electricity costs to Maine energy users and has benefits for plans to electrify other sectors of the economy.”
Governor Mills Statement Regarding NECEC Stipulation Before the PUC
State of Maine
Office of the Governor
February 21, 2019
“Maine is the most heating oil dependent state in the country, with nearly 70% of Maine homeowners relying on oil for their heating needs. We send five billion dollars out of state every year to pay for our use of nonrenewable fossil fuels…Discussions in recent weeks have brought to the table the largest generator of renewable energy in North America—HydroQuebec. Partnering with this provincial company to our north, with its plentiful low carbon generation, along with local renewable generators, will not only bring down the price of power for consumers of all sizes but will also help us wean off of fossil fuels in a significant way.”
Read full statement here.