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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons™
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- Maine (19)
- Maine Public Utilities Commission (8)
- Energy policy (7)
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- Electric utility deregulation (5)
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- FERC (2)
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- Maine Land Use Regulation Commission (2)
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- Canada (1)
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- Electric utility restructuring (1)
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Articles 1 - 30 of 53
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
The Promise Of Floating Offshore Wind Power In The Gulf Of Maine: New Developments And New Challenges, Jack Shapiro
The Promise Of Floating Offshore Wind Power In The Gulf Of Maine: New Developments And New Challenges, Jack Shapiro
Maine Policy Review
Maine has set ambitious climate and clean energy goals in the past few years, requiring an economy-wide transition away from fossil fuels. This includes displacing fossil fuel power generation, as well as electrifying end-uses of energy in heating our buildings and fueling our vehicles. This transition will require significant amounts of new renewable energy. This commentary will explore the key role that floating offshore wind will play in in meeting Maine – and New England’s – climate and clean energy goals, including the challenge and promise of being a leader in newer floating offshore wind technology, floating offshore wind technologies …
Attitudes Toward Offshore Wind Power In The Midcoast Region Of Maine, James Acheson
Attitudes Toward Offshore Wind Power In The Midcoast Region Of Maine, James Acheson
Maine Policy Review
Given the likelihood of the development of offshore wind farms in Maine and the increasingly politicized nature of discussions about wind power in general, there is a need for more systematic information on Mainers’ opinions about offshore wind power. In this article, James Acheson provides information on the range of public opinion about offshore wind power based on a survey of fishermen, tourism-related business owners and coastal property owners in Midcoast Maine. He assesses the accuracy of some public concerns and discusses the broader policy issues raised about offshore wind development.
Research For The Sustainable Development Of Tidal Power In Maine, Teresa Johnson, Gayle B. Zydlewski
Research For The Sustainable Development Of Tidal Power In Maine, Teresa Johnson, Gayle B. Zydlewski
Maine Policy Review
Generating electricity from Maine’s substantial tides has been a dream for generations. Today, the state is poised for a new era in sustainable tidal-power development. A pilot project is already underway in the Cobscook Bay/Western Passage area near Eastport and Lubec. Tidal-power development presents technical, environmental, and social challenges, however, and the authors discuss how the Maine Tidal Power Initiative is working to develop a cooperative framework that integrates stakeholders, developers, and policymakers to tackle some of these challenges.
Challenging Climate Change, Olympia J. Snowe
Challenging Climate Change, Olympia J. Snowe
Maine Policy Review
No abstract provided.
Understanding The Global Energy Industry Is Key To Meeting Maine’S Energy Challenge, Elizabeth A. Wilson
Understanding The Global Energy Industry Is Key To Meeting Maine’S Energy Challenge, Elizabeth A. Wilson
Maine Policy Review
Dependence on petroleum has global consequences with regard to supply constraints, energy security, and economic impacts, along with major consequences for climate change and other environmental problems. Maine is at a particular disadvantage due to its reliance on home heating oil and transportation fuels in this rural state. In this article, Elizabeth Wilson analyzes the global petroleum industry and the challenges and solutions ahead for the U.S. and Maine as we seek to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and develop other cleaner and cost-effective energy sources.
What We Can Expect From The Federal Government To Address Climate Change And Energy Independence, Adam Cote
What We Can Expect From The Federal Government To Address Climate Change And Energy Independence, Adam Cote
Maine Policy Review
Adam Cote highlights major federal energy and climate initiatives that the new administration and Congress are likely to try to enact. Many of these initiatives could be important for Maine, particularly policies and funding that promote clean energy, energy efficiency, conservation, and “green-collar” jobs.
The Energy Challenge–Gone Today, Back Tomorrow: Maine’S Key Role, William H. Hastings
The Energy Challenge–Gone Today, Back Tomorrow: Maine’S Key Role, William H. Hastings
Maine Policy Review
World energy trends suggest that increased demand for fossil fuels is likely to continue, even as producers are not replacing what is being used. William Hastings argues that in spite of this, Maine is poised to potentially become an energy leader in the near future. He points out that a surprising number of new projects are increasing the diversity of the state’s energy supply.
Confronting Global Warming: Maine’S Multi-Sector Initiatives, 2003–2008, David P. Littell, Gary S. Westerman, Malcolm C. Burson
Confronting Global Warming: Maine’S Multi-Sector Initiatives, 2003–2008, David P. Littell, Gary S. Westerman, Malcolm C. Burson
Maine Policy Review
David Littell, Gary Westerman and Malcolm Burson describe Maine’s pioneering efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting energy efficiency, and developing less carbon-intensive and more sustainable energy sources. They discuss in particular the goals and accomplishments of the state’s Climate Action Plan and Maine’s participation in several multi-state and regional efforts, including the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
Tapping The Potential Of Energy Efficiency To Create Greater Economic Security For Maine, Dylan Voorhees
Tapping The Potential Of Energy Efficiency To Create Greater Economic Security For Maine, Dylan Voorhees
Maine Policy Review
Energy efficiency is cheaper than any current sources of power or fuel. Maine has started to develop some energy-efficiency programs such as Efficiency Maine and MaineHousing’s weatherization efforts, but the state lags behind other states in the region. Dylan Voorhees addresses barriers that Maine needs to overcome in order to tap its energy-efficiency potential. He suggests an expanded strategy, including planning for the long term, leveraging private investments and taking advantage of the private sector, extending efficiency programs to all fuels, and consolidating current energy-efficiency planning and budgeting
Introduction: Ask Not… Voices From Maine Addressing Climate Change And Energy, Sam Townsend
Introduction: Ask Not… Voices From Maine Addressing Climate Change And Energy, Sam Townsend
Maine Policy Review
No abstract provided.
Transportation And Climate Change, Jonathan Rubin
Transportation And Climate Change, Jonathan Rubin
Maine Policy Review
The transportation and residential sectors in Maine use a large proportion of fossil fuels, primarily petroleum products, and are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Jonathan Rubin’s article on transportation reviews mechanisms by which petroleum demand and greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced, emphasizing state and federal legislation to achieve these goals. He describes ways in which transportation systems will be affected by and have to adapt to climate change.
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: What It Means For Maine, Sondra Bogdonoff
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: What It Means For Maine, Sondra Bogdonoff
Maine Policy Review
The federal government has been slow to act on curbing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and on reducing dependence on petroleum and other fossil fuels. In the absence of federal leadership, Maine and other states have enacted policies and practices to try to address these issues. Sondra Bogdonoff’s article discusses the 10-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), in which Maine participates, the first regional program in the U.S. to address climate change. RGGI is a cap-and-trade system aimed at reducing CO2 emissions, which are “capped” at allowable levels. Power generators can buy and sell allowances. Under RGGI, …
Connecting Residential Energy Efficiency And Carbon Emissions Reductions: Mainehousing’S Carbon Market Project, Dale Mccormick, Lucy Van Hook
Connecting Residential Energy Efficiency And Carbon Emissions Reductions: Mainehousing’S Carbon Market Project, Dale Mccormick, Lucy Van Hook
Maine Policy Review
The transportation and residential sectors in Maine use a large proportion of fossil fuels, primarily petroleum products, and are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Dale McCormick and Lucy Van Hook in their article on MaineHousing’s carbon market project observe that energy use in buildings is the “next frontier” for emissions reductions. MaineHousing’s innovative program is aimed at generating and selling “emissions reduction credits” in the carbon market, through verified savings from weatherization and other energy measures. The funds generated can in turn be used to provide further weatherization assistance, as well as low-interest loans to homeowners for weatherization …
The Green Deal: A Call For Changed Lifestyle, Samuel S. Inman
The Green Deal: A Call For Changed Lifestyle, Samuel S. Inman
Maine Policy Review
Each year the Margaret Chase Smith Library sponsors an essay contest for high school seniors. This year students were asked for a comprehensive national energy policy, addressing the topic from multiple perspectives and surveying the economic, environmental, political social and historical considerations that must go into any viable long-term solutions. Featured here is Samuel S. Inman’s thoughtful and well-articulated 2007 first place prize-winning essay.
“The Skeptics Agenda” And What Science Now Says About Global Warming, Robert Kates
“The Skeptics Agenda” And What Science Now Says About Global Warming, Robert Kates
Maine Policy Review
In the Margaret Chase Smith essay, Robert Kates discusses global climate change. He notes that there is no longer any doubt that global warming is occurring, caused most likely by increased greenhouse gasses. Costs of preventing warming are mixed, and appropriate timing of such efforts is unknown, but there is no doubt that societal attention is needed for adaptation.
Electric Utility Restructuring: What Does It Mean For Residential And Small Retail Consumers In Maine?, Lewis Tagliaferre, Susan Greenwood
Electric Utility Restructuring: What Does It Mean For Residential And Small Retail Consumers In Maine?, Lewis Tagliaferre, Susan Greenwood
Maine Policy Review
On March 1, 2000, Maine will offer electric power through open competition, a restructuring that poses both advantages and disadvantages to residential and small retail consumers. While electric restructuring in Maine has been thoughtfully developed, the basic question of whether electricity rates will be lower for the average consumer will remain uncertain for some time. This uncertainty is linked not only to Maine’s electricity rate bidding process but also to potentially oligopolistic national trends. In addition, whether individual consumers achieve savings in their electricity costs will be determined, in part, by their choice of electricity supplier. While some consumers may …
Electrical Industry Restructuring: From Policy To Implementation, Evan D. Richert
Electrical Industry Restructuring: From Policy To Implementation, Evan D. Richert
Maine Policy Review
Both in Maine and nationally, there is continuous evidence of fundamental transformation of the electric utility industry. Maine Policy Review continues coverage of this issue with Evan Richert’s summary of the June 1996, fifth annual conference on Public Utility Regulation and the Environment (PURE). Richert relates the conference discussions to the PUC’s July 1996 draft plan on electric utility industry restructuring and to state government’s efforts to create a comprehensive energy policy for Maine.
Electric Service: The Next Generation, Gordon L. Weil
Electric Service: The Next Generation, Gordon L. Weil
Maine Policy Review
In the past few years,Maine's electric utilities have begun to face the forces of competition.Maineis experiencing the effects of a national trend, a shift from a traditional and regulated system to a more innovative and competitive one. Gordon Weil, active inMaineand elsewhere in promoting increased competition in the electric industry, explains the forces for competition. He traces the history of the electric power market from its beginnings as a monopoly, to its present status where all of the forces promoting competition nationally are at play inMaine.
False Competition And Fulfilling The Promise Of Retail Wheeling, James F. Mitchell
False Competition And Fulfilling The Promise Of Retail Wheeling, James F. Mitchell
Maine Policy Review
In the past few years,Maine's electric utilities have begun to face the forces of competition.Maineis experiencing the effects of a national trend, a shift from a traditional and regulated system to a more innovative and competitive one. James F. Mitchell describes some of the political and financial limits to restructuring and provides suggestions for how to proceed in creating full and fair competition. This article is taken from the author’s presentation at a December 1994 conference entitled ”Retail Wheeling,” sponsored by the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy's Project for the Study of Regulation and the Environment.
Regulatory Updates: Maine Public Utilities Commission, Ralph E. Townsend
Regulatory Updates: Maine Public Utilities Commission, Ralph E. Townsend
Maine Policy Review
No abstract provided.
Retail Wheeling: A Closer Look, William C. Perkins
Retail Wheeling: A Closer Look, William C. Perkins
Maine Policy Review
In the past few years,Maine's electric utilities have begun to face the forces of competition.Maineis experiencing the effects of a national trend, a shift from a traditional and regulated system to a more innovative and competitive one. William C. Perkins analyzes a number of potential costs and risks of full-scale retail wheeling. This article is taken from the author’s presentation at a December 1994 conference entitled ”Retail Wheeling,” sponsored by the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy's Project for the Study of Regulation and the Environment.
Electric Market Restructuring: Environmental Considerations, Armond Cohen
Electric Market Restructuring: Environmental Considerations, Armond Cohen
Maine Policy Review
In the past few years,Maine's electric utilities have begun to face the forces of competition.Maineis experiencing the effects of a national trend, a shift from a traditional and regulated system to a more innovative and competitive one. Armond Cohen explores the environmental impacts that are at stake in restructuring and offers some possible solutions. This article is taken from the author’s presentation at a December 1994 conference entitled ”Retail Wheeling,” sponsored by the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy's Project for the Study of Regulation and the Environment.
Regulatory Updates: Maine Public Utilities Commission, Land Use Regulatory Commission, Ralph Townsend, Ruth Robinson
Regulatory Updates: Maine Public Utilities Commission, Land Use Regulatory Commission, Ralph Townsend, Ruth Robinson
Maine Policy Review
No abstract provided.
Electric Competition And The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Donald F. Santa Jr.
Electric Competition And The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Donald F. Santa Jr.
Maine Policy Review
The pricing of electric power is not only an issue at the state level, it also gathers the attention of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. A major pricing issue now facing FERC involves electric transmission. This reflects increased competition in the electric generation business and is of particular concern in the wholesale electricity market, which is regulated by FERC. As FERC Commissioner Donald F. Santa makes clear in this article, access to transmission lines and the price to be paid for that access are extremely important issues to independent power producers. This article is based on Commissioner Santa's keynote speech …
Assessing Maine’S Eram Experiment, Leslie Hudson, Stephanie Seguino
Assessing Maine’S Eram Experiment, Leslie Hudson, Stephanie Seguino
Maine Policy Review
Maine’s utility regulators have occasionally ventured into the uncharted waters of utility regulation reform. Some such efforts have been more successful than others. Leslie Hudson and Stephanie Seguino document the process and outcomes of one such attempt at alternative electric utility regulation, the Electric Revenue Adjustment Mechanism, or ERAM. They endeavor to answer several questions arising from this brief and failed, but interesting regulatory experiment.
Retail Competition In The U.S. Electricity Industry, John P. Hughes
Retail Competition In The U.S. Electricity Industry, John P. Hughes
Maine Policy Review
The ever-increasing competitive nature of the electric utility business has been lent additional impetus by federal policies that mandate restructuring of the industry. John Hughes, writing from the perspective of large industrial consumers, offers a vision for restructuring the electric utility industry. He frames his vision in response to goals outlines in the California Public Utilities Commission’s proposal to restructure that state’s electric utility industry
Regulatory Updates: Maine Public Utilities Commission, Ralph Townsend
Regulatory Updates: Maine Public Utilities Commission, Ralph Townsend
Maine Policy Review
No abstract provided.
Regulatory Updates: Maine Public Utilities Commission, Ralph Townsend
Regulatory Updates: Maine Public Utilities Commission, Ralph Townsend
Maine Policy Review
No abstract provided.
Pricing Challenges Facing Maine’S Utility Regulators, Thomas L. Welch
Pricing Challenges Facing Maine’S Utility Regulators, Thomas L. Welch
Maine Policy Review
Decisions concerning the pricing of public utilities are rarely made without controversy. Electric utilities have garnered the lion's share of the attention in recent months because of the rising cost to consumers of electricity, despite surplus generating capacity and relatively cheap power available on the open market. But other regulated utilities—natural gas, telecommunications, and water—also face important pricing issues in the months ahead. The 1994 conference, sponsored by the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center's Project for the Study of Public Regulation and the Environment [PURE], explored several of these issues earlier this year. An important Maine perspective on pricing issues …
Are Adders Right For Maine?, Ralph E. Townsend
Are Adders Right For Maine?, Ralph E. Townsend
Maine Policy Review
"Externalities" are costs imposed on third parties without compensation. Pollution is the archetypical externality. It is the pollution externality that has prompted the emerging national debate over whether public utility regulation should be modified to account for externalities. Ralph Townsend and two other authors [Raab, Freeman, this issue] discuss the arguments surrounding the externality debate. These three authors earlier presented similar material at a Legislative Institute, sponsored by the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy's Project for the Study of Regulation and the Environment, for the Utilities Committee of the Maine State Legislature.