Offshore wind bill flawed
Credit: Bangor Daily News | May 31, 2019 | bangordailynews.com ~~
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Two wrongs don’t make a right. Though perhaps well intended, LD 994, related to offshore wind energy, is deeply flawed. While it was recently approved by the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, let’s be clear:
In August 2018, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) re-opened the term sheet for the Maine Aqua Ventus (MAV) project asking for clarification on eight items. MAV had still not filed a response when the committee held a hearing on May 16. The committee is now recommending the PUC be forced into a long-term contract – an action which I don’t believe has taken place in the past 35 years, if ever – without allowing the PUC to do its due diligence.
This action is an assault on the “checks and balances” between different arms of government and diminishes our democracy. Secondly, this bill, if approved, imposes a cost on Central Maine Power ratepayers without having done the proper cost/benefit analysis. While some members of the Legislature are not pleased with past decisions of the PUC, action should be taken after the PUC has made an informed decision with the information requested.
While appreciative of the desire to move forward with wind energy opportunities, this is not the way to proceed. Legislators on both sides of the aisle should vote “no” on LD 994.
Andrew Fenniman
Chamberlain
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