NEWS
Churchill remembered on 70th anniv of the Battle of Britain: Churchill's speech of August 20, 1940, when he told MPs:"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."
USM Economist Charlie Colgan recommends taxing oil to save Maine:
State and local governments can encourage clean-energy businesses that can drive the recovery, he said, through public policies that influence the price of oil. "Only by making oil more expensive will we unleash the market forces," he said.
We say: "Brilliant!" True, taxing the salt out of something will diminish its use but oil is not the problem in Maine.
How is making oil more expensive going to lower our 60% higher than US average electric costs which is the biggest energy and business impediment problem we have in Maine? See Maine State Chamber and MDF report.
Less than 1% of our electric is generated from oil. Is he suggesting that more expensive wind generated electricity will lower our extremely high electric costs? or is he saying citizens must pay more to heat their homes and drive their cars in order to feel good about paying even higher electric prices?
Home heating oil prices in Maine are the lowest in the country. electric prices are among the highest already.
See the DOE EIA April 2010.
Why are electric prices so high in Maine? Government policies over the last 30 years.
Market forces are already at work, it's called personal choice.
- Government choice - electric generation: wind, biomass, anti-Quebec hydro = highest costs
- Personal choice - home heating: oil, propane, conservation = lowest costs.
Shipping papers must agree with Placard
Make sure your Shipping Papers agree with your placards. Member cited for having a Propane UN 1978 SP but truck placarded for UN 1075 LPG.
$1.3 Million Efficiency Maine Equipment Rebate Program EXTENDED -get your customers rebates see here.
Downeast Energy wins important contracts lawsuit. Customer reneges on contract found in breach of contract, is liable for damages. See the decision that impacts the entire industry here.
List of State of Maine Agencies here
CROSSROADS Summit 2009
Click here to download Event Materials
Heating Oil - Greener, Brighter Future See:
Myths Vs. the Realities of Heating Oil
Dept. of Energy - Energy Information Administration heating fuel cost comparison calculator click here.
Federal Stimulus tax credit info on equipment Here
Maine PUC signs Propane Jurisdictional stipulation. Correction protocol now in effect for marketers. See correction protocol memo here.
OIl SPECULATION
- Want to understand the problem? Best blog on this issue is here
- Article in Rolling Stone exposing abuses to financial system - a good read 7-7-09
- Index Speculation caused the oil price bubble - everything you want to know about it - because it could happen again
- Senator Snowe Letter to MEMA supporting reigning in Speculation
- MIT Economics Professor unambiguously states that high prices are the result of speculation. Read letter.
- Speculators are driving up heating oil and motor fuels prices - this needs to stop. stopoilspeculators.com
Updates on Federal Legislation/Regulations
- Keep up on the latest information regarding federal regulations and federal legislation NEFI RSS FEED
