Energy

Policy:
1. Ratepayer First Plan – Support Natural Gas, hydro and Biomass Power
Generation and Infrastructure

2. Consider Propane Expansion
2. Suspension of Net Energy Billing
3. Sears Island Ruled Out as a Floating Offshore Wind Port
4. Tidal Power Exploration

5. Biomass an Important Contributor to Power Access for Maine Businesses
6. Discontinue the Renewable Energy Equipment Tax Exemption
7. New Blue-Ribbon Energy Commission

Rationale:
The US Energy Administration states that Maine is one of the highest cost energy providers in America. Bills such as LD 2077 from the 131st Legislature that stated that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) may not approve a gas utility to furnish service or serve customers in a municipality will be vetoed by a Libby Administration. Bills like these are a clear and present danger and will repel investment in Maine.

Favoring one energy provider over another by legalizing manipulation of energy contracts must end.  The ratepayer is currently footing the bill for subsidizing solar farms at an incredible cost - hundreds of millions according to Maine Public. Our cost per kilowatt hour has soared to a rate nearly 50% above the national average. No solar farm should have been entitled to a contractually biased payout rate at twice an energy market’s wholesale rate, as solar farms receive now. That was a bad idea. Now, to make things worse, the Legislature and Governor passed LD 1777 into law in June of 2025, which pulls the rug out from underneath the developers by not honoring the expensive contracts and developing further rules. It wasn't the investor's fault that Maine made promises. Who's going to be willing to invest here now? This is as bad as it gets. The issue is representative of how willing Maine government is to manipulate markets to seek an agenda. We can find clean energy alternatives without clobbering the energy market.

In the short-run, natural gas expansion and hydropower are the best short-run options for Maine, followed by other gasses, biomass, wind, solar, and tidal power.  A new state-of-the-art hydropower project is already in the works.

Nuclear should be strongly considered in the long-run.  Tidal power and nuclear should be researched for optimal investment. Maine should continue to proceed with tidal power exploration in Eastport and modern nuclear power opportunities elsewhere (see “Economic Development" section for more policy on nuclear power generation research opportunities).

Maine can aggressively attack the rate problem from the supply side. Seeking private investment for expansion opportunities works when investors feel welcomed. Current market providers will be invited to assist with expansion efforts. For example, many homes use propane, yet propane is not produced in any significant quantity in Maine. Some schools have turned to propane. One major propane project was built in the Bonny Eagle School District by PATCO.  According to PATCO, a long list of subcontractors included "Varco Pruden Buildings, Shaw Earthworks Inc, Dayton Sand & Gravel, Aube Electrical, Comfort Systems USA, Williams Foundations Inc, RD Concrete Works, Kelley Bros of New England LLC, Door Services Inc, HA Stone & Sons Inc, and Itchy & Scratchy Insulators." Bonny Eagle's new bus fleet runs on propane, which has proven to be incredibly clean in comparison to other fuels. What a great project, with lots of win-wins for our environment and for local contractors.

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All types of energy generation should be sought, but the most efficient must be emphasized. Energy generators and distributors will be brought to the table to assist with de-regulation efforts. For example, Robbins lumber asked Senator Libby to look at a possible biomass energy plant in Baldwin in his senate district. Robbins and other lumberyards already produce energy using biomass at other locations.  Robbins currently owns Georges River Energy, an 8.5 megawatt biomass-fired cogeneration power plant.  A Blue-Ribbon Commission should be established, including experts from the general public, business and government leaders, to break down barriers that prevent Maine entrepreneurs from investing in biomass now. This supply-side example with provide advantages to business while slowing skyrocketing energy costs for all users.
The rooftop solar program should continue and be encouraged. 

Elect Jim Libby, and more fairness in energy investment and better energy generation expansion opportunities will be on the way.