PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 4, 2020
In 2012, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission filed charges against Richard Silkman, a former director of the State Planning Office, and his firm. Silkman had advised Rumford Paper Co. to set a fake baseline during the period used to calculate the payments under the power reduction program. Those allegedly false numbers cost New England electric consumers more than $3.3 million. Under a settlement, Silkman and the company will pay $1,475,000 over seven years.