MAINE PUBLIC • October 28, 2022
Former Gov. Paul LePage has blamed Maine’s rising electricity rates on the policies of Gov. Janet Mills. Mills fired back: “Our energy prices have increased because of our dependence on fossil fuels, pure and simple, like natural gas,” Mills said. “We are so dependent on natural gas because Mr. LePage failed to diversify our energy sources during his eight years in office.” So who is right? The data [are] clear that fossil fuel prices, not renewable energy subsidies, are largely to blame for the recent surge in electricity prices in Maine. When it comes to renewable energy, Mills and LePage are pretty much polar opposites. But LePage is correct in at least one respect as he tries to link higher electric rates to renewable energy. Solar farms are proliferating across Maine. There is legitimate concern that the “net energy billing” subsidy program will substantially increase electricity costs for all ratepayers in the next several years.