Another major ice storm could wreak havoc, but resiliency is a work in progress.
Tux Turkel
Tux Turkel writes primarily about energy issues affecting Maine. Over the years, he has gazed into the spent-fuel pool at the now-gone Maine Yankee nuclear plant, looked across Casco Bay from atop Wyman Station’s smokestack, and toured power plants and wind farms across the state, but remains confused about why electricity doesn’t leak from our wall sockets.
When he’s not trying to make sense of dense regulatory filings at the Public Utilities Commission, he’s likely to be hiking in the mountains or visiting Maine’s coastal islands in his small motorboat.
A graduate of Emerson College in Boston, Tux lives in Yarmouth with his wife, youngest son, a cat and a guinea pig.
PUC rejects proposed $75 power bill credit for low-income Mainers
The Maine Public Utilities Commission said the credit would have shifted costs to other struggling electricity customers.
Electricity rate option triggers skepticism, partisan charges
Heat pump rates are not being subsided by other customers, the Maine Public Utilities Commision says.
Have a heat pump? New electric rates could save you money
The new rates, which apply to the delivery portion of electricity bills, aren’t for everyone. Scrutinizing when and how much power you use is key to potential savings.
CMP, Versant both score last in satisfaction survey of utility customers
The national study gave poor marks to Maine’s two investor-owned electricity companies, and both responded with explanations why.
Future of Aroostook clean energy project may hinge on Massachusetts
Before a multibillion-dollar transmission line and wind farm are built in northern Maine, officials in Massachusetts must determine if the project will benefit that state’s residents.
Petition to replace CMP, Versant with consumer-owned utility has valid signatures to get on ballot
But an opposition group, which is mounting a citizens initiative of its own, says it has gathered enough signatures to blunt the effort.
Maine’s high court upholds CMP lease of public land key to $1 billion power line
The Supreme Judicial Court finds that Central Maine Power has a valid lease of public land that would be crossed by the New England Clean Energy Connect project.
Wood-pellet mill, rail connection planned for Millinocket
The new plant and rail improvements could allow Maine to produce and ship industrial-grade wood pellets to Europe, where they are a critical energy source.
Tentative settlement reached in Summit Natural Gas rate hike request
The Office of the Public Advocate negotiates a proposed 200% rate hike down to 49%. The PUC still must review the proposal before it can be approved.