Augusta, Maine - Energy Director Patrick Woodcock today announced Maine will join other Northeast states to lower the cap on greenhouse gas emissions if major reforms are enacted to reduce energy costs in the State of Maine. This action supports Governor Paul R. LePage’s long-standing commitment to reduce business electricity rates and lower residential heating costs for Maine families.
This week, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Patricia Aho participated with representatives from eight other states in the region to discuss ways states can reduce emission levels as part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, also known as RGGI. Aho, Maine’s lead representative to the RGGI Board of Directors, indicated that Maine will propose legislation which redirects Maine’s RGGI auction funding toward lowering residential and business energy costs. The legislation is not a signal of support for cap and trade, she noted. Because Maine is part of ISO New England, the regional power provider, even if Maine had not supported to lower the cap, the State is subject to higher electricity rates regardless.
“The State of Maine’s support for modifying the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is contingent on significant State energy reforms to target these barriers to growing Maine’s economy,” said Commissioner Aho.
Governor LePage announced Thursday, he will introduce a bill intended to provide rate relief to Mainers. The proposal allocates RGGI auction funding for the purpose of reducing electricity rates for businesses and targeting heating costs for Maine families.
Energy Director Patrick Woodcock stressed the urgency of taking action to make Maine more competitive with the rest of the world in order to attract jobs and provide relief to families. “Maine electricity prices are the 12th highest in the country, increasing costs for everything that Maine produces from blueberries to semiconductors,” said Energy Director Woodcock. “Moving forward, it is critical that RGGI revenue be better directed toward reducing electricity rates for Maine businesses and assisting households invest in affordable heating options.”
