Governor LePage Urges Legislature to Tackle Energy Challenges
AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage sent a letter today to Legislative leadership, noting that energy prices have increased significantly in 2013 and urging them to welcome all energy sources that can lower the price of electricity for Maine businesses, as well as use state resources to help Mainers lower their home heating bills.
“Our energy prices are becoming more expensive for businesses competing across the world, and the Maine people are spending more of their disposable income on energy,” the Governor wrote. “Maine’s energy policy has been focused on streamlining wind development that is almost completely contracted with southern New England states. This is not helping Maine lower electricity prices or assisting Mainers with their high heating costs.”
Maine has tremendous natural resources, but these resources are not being used to make energy costs more competitive for businesses or lower home heating costs for residents, the Governor stated.
On average, wholesale electricity prices in New England were 57 percent higher in New England in 2013 compared to 2012.
Propane prices have increased 22 percent just since the heating season began in October. The average price of home heating oil is $3.81 per gallon today, which for nearly 70 percent of Maine households means that on average they will be spending more than $3,200 this winter to simply provide heat.
“We should open competition to all energy sources that can lower the price of energy for Maine businesses and position our state to better compete for business development,” the Governor wrote. “We should direct finite state resources to assist Mainers make investments in more affordable heating options that will lower their heating bills, including heat pumps, natural gas, wood pellets or other advanced systems.
“Maine can become more competitive if we open our state policies to competition, invest regionally in strategic infrastructure and accelerate a transition to more affordable heating systems,” Governor LePage wrote. “The situation requires all of us to do our part to change Maine’s energy trajectory.”