Maine Republicans in search of modifications to assist decrease power costs
PORTLAND, Maine — Republicans in Maine mentioned Tuesday they are going to suggest a bunch of authorized modifications to attempt to cap the surging value of house heating within the state.
Maine is closely depending on heating oil, and the price of that has doubled over the previous two years, Republican members of the state Senate mentioned. All advised, electrical energy charges have elevated 165 p.c in recent times, the senators mentioned.
The senators mentioned they are going to suggest reforms to the Maine Public Utilities Fee in addition to numerous acts to attempt to develop choices for house power creation. The announcement happened three weeks after the Maine Legislature signed off on $450 aid checks to assist residents with winter heating prices.
Republicans mentioned Tuesday that the aid checks, proposed by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, don’t tackle the structural modifications the state wants in the way it approaches house heating.
“Skyrocketing power prices are crushing Maine households and small companies,” mentioned Sen. Matt Harrington. “Maine folks deserve greater than a $450 examine.”
One of many Republican proposals would promise extra transparency and accountability throughout the bidding course of utilized by the general public utilities fee. One other would take away a 100-megawatt restrict on hydropower, Harrington mentioned.
Republicans are additionally planning payments to advertise use of geothermal change heating and cooling methods, and to permit a variance for out of doors wooden boilers. Members of the get together mentioned these strikes would open up new choices for residents.
The GOP additionally needs to reform the best way Maine makes use of internet metering, which is a monetary incentive used to encourage solar energy. Republicans within the state have typically characterised this system as inequitable.
Democrats management each homes of the Maine Legislature in addition to the governor’s workplace, which places Republican laws at an obstacle. Nevertheless, each events agree the state wants options to deliver down the price of house power. Gov. Mills’ workplace didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
