Tux Turkel
Portland Press Herald
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Past articles by Tux:
Consumer-owned power advocates, foes trumpet signatures for 2023 vote
Groups for and against the creation of Pine Tree Power, a nonprofit electric utility, said they have petitions that would create competing referendum questions. → Read More
Pricy, imported natural gas will drive Maine’s electricity habit this winter
While the U.S. exports natural gas at record levels, New England will have to import it, in liquid form. That dependence could cost a typical Maine household an extra $22 a month in electricity. → Read More
Summit customers will see bills double as natural gas supply costs more
Tuesday's PUC action is separate from another rate request under consideration and reflects high supply costs for natural gas providers in a volatile global market. → Read More
Climate change impacts underlie CMP rate hike request
Everyone wants a stronger grid. But can beleaguered customers afford it now? → Read More
Electric boats poised to make waves on Maine coast
Battery-powered outboards are seen as a first step in 'electrifying' the working waterfront. Are pleasure boats next? → Read More
Maine’s cannabis producers see high costs of lighting up
The industry, pinched by high energy costs and low wholesale prices, seeks out cheaper grow-lamp options. → Read More
With 207 area code endangered, Maine PUC probes T-Mobile’s numbering practices
At issue is whether the wireless phone company is tying up too many numbers. → Read More
Cape Elizabeth twins’ solar-electric lawn care business is cutting edge
How Philip and Dmitri Coupe propelled a zero-emissions lawn care business into sustainability. → Read More
Around growing Portland, a race is on to save large landscapes
Conservation interests are scrambling to preserve the region's last big undeveloped spaces for the residents of tomorrow. → Read More
New England fuel dealers plot their future in a rapidly electrifying world
As more mandates and incentives are rolled out to fight climate change, a strategy emerges to cast doubt on electrification while talking up renewable liquid fuels. → Read More
Request for offshore wind power contract raises ratepayer concerns
The proposed contract's likely impact on Maine electricity customers is being shielded from public view, for now. → Read More
CMP to seek 3-year rate hike that would raise average bill by $10
Gov. Janet Mills staunchly opposes the utility's plan for reliability and grid upgrades, saying, 'I will fight this.' → Read More
Some Maine businesses are starting down a path to 100% renewable power
Twenty companies from Biddeford to Brooklin have joined a new statewide business project called On the Pathway to 100% Clean Energy. → Read More
Power corridor developer defends embattled project before Maine’s highest court
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court heard two separate cases Tuesday involving the contested NECEC power line project. → Read More
Mainers likely to endure high electric rates into 2023
The reactions of global energy markets to Russia's war in Ukraine are expected to keep electric rates up in Maine next year. → Read More
Weatherization, heat pumps, EVs: State pushes energy cost solutions, but can you do them this year?
The most popular and cost-effective options for reducing household energy use are limited by high demand, labor shortages and supply chain issues. → Read More
Legislative committee splits 3 ways on utility accountability bill
The failure last week of a legislative committee to agree on the shape of utility reform leaves it to the full Legislature next month to find compromise on a high-profile energy bill. In early February, Gov. Janet Mills introduced a bill designed to crack down on electric utility performance issues by using the threat of steep financial penalties or even a forced sale of assets to another… → Read More
Legislative committee splits 3 ways on utility accountability bill
Lawmakers will be under pressure to find some compromise on making power companies more accountable in Maine. → Read More
Power bill tax relief: Lawmakers find no easy solutions to complex problem
A legislative committee struggled Tuesday to flesh out a bare-bones proposal to provide tax rebates to Maine households and small businesses slammed by high electric bills this winter, underscoring the limits of the state’s ability to ease the impacts brought on by global energy markets. Members of the Taxation Committee heard testimony on a bill to establish a tax rebate program of “$1,000 for… → Read More
Power bill tax relief: Lawmakers find no easy solutions to complex problem
The sponsor of a bill envisioning some form of tax relief acknowledges, "there's no silver bullet" to ease high energy costs. → Read More