Maine Governor Paul R. LePage (R) sent a letter on August 21 to his state’s legislative leadership, calling for action to reform obsolete and costly energy policies that, he said, are making it difficult, if not impossible, for local businesses to remain competitive.
The letter was prompted by an announcement from Verso Paper about the loss of 300 jobs at its Jay-based mill – a step the company was forced to take just eight months after closing its paper mill in Bucksport and displacing 570 workers in that town.
“The announcement today that Verso Paper Company will shut down two machines in Jay and lay off approximately 300 Mainers is extremely troubling and disappointing—but not surprising,” wrote Governor LePage. “I have said over and over during nearly five years [in office] that we must make Maine more competitive and that capital investment goes where it’s welcomed and stays where it’s appreciated. Every decision I make as Governor attempts to make Maine more competitive. Unfortunately, too many legislators can’t say the same. Their strict adherence to the status quo will surely result in the loss of more jobs.”
Le Page said that his Energy Office continues to collaborate with other states in the region to build cost-effective energy infrastructure that reduces energy prices.
“We are in partnership with four other New England states working to facilitate additional energy infrastructure to expand natural gas and hydropower into the region,” confirmed Patrick Woodcock, director of the Governor’s Energy Office. “The Administration has also proposed significant energy legislation to modernize and lower the cost of state policies that were put in place years ago. We should move forward with bold energy legislation rather than status quo policies that are simply adding costs to employers and not delivering results.”
What’s more, during the last legislative session, Governor LePage introduced three bills to lower the cost of energy for Maine’s businesses –among them:
On the federal level, in May, Governor LePage testified before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Energy and Power in support of a bill to speed the permitting process and lower energy costs across our nation. The draft legislation aims to improve the permitting of interstate natural gas pipelines, along with a draft bill to reduce the regulatory burdens on hydropower production. Congress continues to consider this legislation, with the House Energy and Commerce Committee passing a version of the natural gas legislation prior to the August recess.