Paid $7500 by lobbyists to advocate for hydropower corridor
LePage confirmed that he was paid in 2019 to advocate for Central Maine Power Co.'s hydropower corridor. The Republican was paid $7,500 by Mitchell Tardy Jackson, a lobbying firm that has been working for the utility since last year to fend off
proposals aimed at killing the $1 billion proposal. The project would bring Hydro-Quebec power to the regional grid through a 145-mile transmission line, but it is under threat from a bid to put a question killing the project on the November ballot.
Source: Bangor Daily News on 2022 Maine Gubernatorial race
, Feb 24, 2020
Imposed a moratorium on new wind turbine permits
LePage, who views wind power as a "boutique" energy source, has fought development as too costly and potentially damaging to tourism. He imposed a moratorium on new wind turbine permits, just as neighboring Massachusetts was rolling out its plan to
boost renewables. LePage set up a commission ostensibly to study the issue, but one of its most outspoken members--a wind energy foe--resigned, saying it had not held a single meeting.
Source: Inside Climate News on 2022 Maine Gubernatorial race
, Oct 1, 2018
Build a natural gas pipeline from Canada
Gov. Paul LePage's administration is pushing to roll back or significantly change portions of Maine law aimed at boosting in-state renewable energy production. LePage says he wants to level the state's energy-production playing field and open the door
to cheap, renewable hydropower from Quebec and maritime Canada, an idea to which Canada seems lukewarm.
The state's electricity costs are holding back job creation and the economy, LePage says. But supporters of current policy say that the advantages--
in both capital investment and jobs--of supporting a burgeoning renewable-power industry far outstrip any disadvantages of slightly higher-priced power.
The LePage administration has a multi-pronged strategy for lowering energy rates, including finding
ways to increase the inflow of natural gas. Helping to build a natural gas pipeline to increase supplies to New England while developing long-term contracts for lower-priced Canadian power are key objectives, a spokesperson said.
Global warming helps Maine by opening north shipping lanes
Global warming could help Maine because the melting of the Arctic icecap has opened northern shipping lanes, Gov. Paul LePage said at a conference on the future of the transportation industry
The comments were similar to points made by Icelandic
President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson in May at an international trade conference in South Portland. Grimsson said the polar shipping route would shorten the trip between China and Europe by 40% to 50%.
Maine could be part of the route because, earlier this year, Icelandic shipping company Eimskip made Portland its only US port of call.
"I think with Eimskip coming to Maine, with all the good things happening--it used to be global warming; I think
they call it climate change now--but there are a lot of opportunities that are developing," LePage said.
Mike Michaud criticized the comment, claiming LePage was ignoring the negative effects of climate change.
Make energy choices that put price ahead of politics
Energy Independence and Efficiency: Paul's energy policy is very simple: Maine people and Maine companies will have the opportunity to make energy choices that put price ahead of politics. Paul's administration will not be in the business of picking
favorites when it comes to energy. In fact, Paul's plan is to let consumers make their own choices, while his administration focuses on policies that offer consumers choices that lower their energy costs.
Source: Campaign website, lepage2010.com, "Solutions"
, Nov 2, 2010
No Climate Tax Pledge: "I pledge to the taxpayers of my state, and to the American people, that I will oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue."
Sponsoring organizations: Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEU); National Taxpayers Union (NTU); Institute for Liberty Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen-leaders committed to advancing every individual's right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and intrusiveness of government is the best way to promote individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans.
Letter to Congress supporting renewable energy tax credit.
LePage signed American Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit Extension
Congressional Summary:Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2016 the tax credit for electricity produced from wind, biomass, geothermal or solar energy, landfill gas, trash, hydropower, and marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy facilities.
Proponent's Comments (Governor's Wind Energy Coalition letter of Nov. 15, 2011 signed by 23 governors):Although the tax credit for wind energy has long enjoyed bipartisan support, it is scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2012. Wind-related manufacturing is beginning to slow in our states because the credit has not yet been extended. If Congress pursues a last minute approach to the extension, the anticipated interruption of the credit's benefits will result in a significant loss of high-paying jobs in a growing sector of the economy.
We strongly urge Congress to adopt a more consistent and longer-term federal tax policy to support wind energy development, such as H.R. 3307.
The leading wind project developers and manufacturers are slowing their plans for 2013 and beyond due to the current uncertainty. The ripple effect of this slow down means reduced orders for turbines and decreased business for the hundreds of manufacturers who have entered the wind industry in our states. When Congress allowed the tax credit to expire in 1999, 2001, and 2003, the development of new wind installations dropped significantly, between 73% and 93%, and thousands of jobs were lost. Providing renewable energy tax credits in order to provide consistency with conventional energy tax credits is the right policy to move the nation forward in an energy sector that offers global export opportunities and the ability to modernize a segment of our electric production infrastructure.