Energy
Virginia is the home of the Richmond Raceway. Lots of energy is used there. Maine needs inexpensive and reliable energy like Virginia has. According to the Virginia state energy profile from the U.S. Energy Administration, Virginia's major sources of power are natural gas at 55% and nuclear at 32%. Their cost per kWh is only 14.66 cents, as compared to 22.25 per kWh here in Maine. Ratepayers have been hurt by Maine government authorizing high-cost power purchases from solar farms, some of which are owned by out-of-state developers. Solar is an important resource, but the state of the technology is not at a level where it can replace natural gas and other generation sources.
Picture: Jim and Brett Libby at Richmond Raceway
The Skelton Dam in Buxton and Dayton provides clean energy to the grid.
The propane project at Bonny Eagle
Policy:
1. Ratepayer First Plan – Support Natural Gas, Hydroelectric and Biomass Power
Generation and Infrastructure
2. Consider Propane Expansion
2. Suspension of Net Energy Billing
3. Sears Island Should be 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 repel new investment in Maine.
The favoring of one energy provider over another by legalized-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 by a rate nearly 50% above the national average. No solar farm should have been entitled to a contractually biased payout rate above twice an energy market’s wholesale rate, as solar farms receive now. That was a bad idea. 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 same developers by not honoring the expensive contracts and developing new mandates and fees by rule. It wasn't the investor's fault that Maine made promises. Who's going to be willing to invest here of Maine does not keep its promises? Maine government is willing to manipulate markets to seek an agenda, and this must end now. 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 water battery project is already being discussed.
Nuclear should be strongly considered in the long-run, but that requires a referendum by law. 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 if the people vote in favor (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 in Maine will work if we make 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. This is a great project, with lots of win-wins for our environment and for local contractors.
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 inquired about a possible biomass energy plant in Baldwin. Robbins and other lumberyards and plants 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 will provide advantages to business while reversing the skyrocketing energy costs for all users.
Jim Libby supports the rooftop solar program. It should continue to be supported and promoted.