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Photo by Gabe Souza.

Two reports, two energy visions for Maine

Maine and New England must choose between two divergent paths for how to generate electricity in the coming years, according to two noteworthy reports released this winter that come to very different conclusions.

Despite their differences, both reports agree on one thing: New England’s already high electricity costs are bound to rise. The question is which path leads to smaller increases.

This isn’t a message Maine’s political hopefuls want to send during an election year, when affordability is top of mind for many voters. Some gubernatorial candidates have begun talking about how they would slash energy costs and even freeze electric rates. 

Listening to this conversation: "Are utilities making too much money?" on the Volts podcast with Joe Daniel of the Rocky Mountain Institute.

The beginning has a good overview on the basics of a rate case.

While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind paywalls, some newsrooms we link to in this newsletter may. 

Spring flood risk low as Maine drought continues | Maine Public

Harrington adopts ordinance prohibiting utility‑scale solar farms | The Maine Monitor

Eel aquaculture key to future growth of elver fishery | Mount Desert Islander

Maine’s outdoor recreation economy growing faster than anticipated | Portland Press Herald 

Scallop aquaculture offers promising opportunity for Maine’s working waterfronts | Mount Desert Islander

New bill would temporarily pause data center development in Maine | Maine Public

There’s something in the air in South Portland | Inside Climate News & Boston Globe

NOAA considers changes to boat slow zones | Mount Desert Islander

Maine leads in alewife conservation, say officials | Mount Desert Islander

Ellsworth residents imagine life without downtown dam as relicensing drags on | Bangor Daily News

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The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization that produces investigative journalism. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support.

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