Maine PUC denies reconsideration of disputed clean-energy contracts

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 3, 2020

With no discussion, the Maine Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday unanimously denied a motion to reconsider the awards of disputed renewable-energy contracts. In brief remarks, the commission’s chair, Philip Bartlett, said the contracts were awarded fairly and legally. The two other commissioners agreed. At issue was a dispute over Maine’s largest-ever procurement of renewable-power contracts, and whether they all would be able to be built on time and deliver the promised low rate and clean-energy benefits to Maine utility customers. The PUC awarded the contracts in September as part of the state’s far-reaching plan to address climate change. Two failed bidders have questioned whether some of the approved projects would ever be built or achieve the promised benefits.