2014 Maine Governor's race: on Energy & Oil


Paul LePage: Build a natural gas pipeline from Canada

Gov. Paul LePage's administration is pushing to roll back or significantly change portions of Maine law aimed at boosting in-state renewable energy production. LePage says he wants to level the state's energy-production playing field and open the door to cheap, renewable hydropower from Quebec and maritime Canada, an idea to which Canada seems lukewarm.

The state's electricity costs are holding back job creation and the economy, LePage says. But supporters of current policy say that the advantages-- in both capital investment and jobs--of supporting a burgeoning renewable-power industry far outstrip any disadvantages of slightly higher-priced power.

The LePage administration has a multi-pronged strategy for lowering energy rates, including finding ways to increase the inflow of natural gas. Helping to build a natural gas pipeline to increase supplies to New England while developing long-term contracts for lower-priced Canadian power are key objectives, a spokesperson said.

Source: Maine Sun Journal on 2014 Maine gubernatorial race Jan 5, 2014

Paul LePage: Global warming helps Maine by opening north shipping lanes

Global warming could help Maine because the melting of the Arctic icecap has opened northern shipping lanes, Gov. Paul LePage said at a conference on the future of the transportation industry

The comments were similar to points made by Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson in May at an international trade conference in South Portland. Grimsson said the polar shipping route would shorten the trip between China and Europe by 40% to 50%. Maine could be part of the route because, earlier this year, Icelandic shipping company Eimskip made Portland its only US port of call.

"I think with Eimskip coming to Maine, with all the good things happening--it used to be global warming; I think they call it climate change now--but there are a lot of opportunities that are developing," LePage said.

Mike Michaud criticized the comment, claiming LePage was ignoring the negative effects of climate change.

Source: Portland Press Herald on 2014 Maine Governor race Dec 6, 2013

Eliot Cutler: Reduce carbon emissions to Kyoto Protocol targets

Q: What is your plan to reduce carbon pollution in Maine?

A: The next governor of Maine needs to acknowledge and begin to deal with the following facts about climate change, and the governor needs to lead Maine people in directions that will begin to limit and mitigate its impacts: