PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March x 2021
In a March 25 op-ed, “We should stop subsidizing dinosaur fossil fuel plants in New England,” Ruthie Clements and Sonja Birthisel claim that fossil fuel power plants are “subsidized” in the electricity market. That is simply wrong. Every power plant in New England is required to participate in a forward capacity auction to guarantee availability three years into the future. The fuel diversity that exists in New England provides a reliable and resilient supply, dramatically lowers emissions and has resulted in the lowest prices in decades. This competitive market is technology-neutral and is seeing growing amounts of renewables. I do agree that today’s market does not adequately recognize climate change. Maine should put a meaningful price on carbon emissions that covers electric generation, as well as the two biggest emissions sources: transportation and heating. ~ Dan Dolan, New England Power Generators Association