Maine public safety officials and natural gas companies said they will be reviewing safety measures in the wake of the series of explosions in Massachusetts that destroyed dozens of homes, killed one person and injured at least 25 others on Thursday. Early indications are that the lines were over-pressurized, forcing gas into homes and other […]
natural gas
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Safety tips when using natural gas
The Maine Public Utilities Commission issued the following safety tips for residents who use natural gas or propane: If you are indoors and smell gas, you should: • Leave the structure immediately and make sure that all other occupants do the same. • Don’t turn on or off any electrical equipment or light switches, or […]
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PUC sees little benefit in gas pipeline for Maine ratepayers
AUGUSTA — A recent report says Maine taxpayers are unlikely to benefit from plans to invest up to $75 million a year into storing natural gas in liquid form. The report found 11 proposals received by the Maine Public Utilities Commission are not expected to provide a big return on investment for ratepayers if the […]
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Maine PUC votes to expand natural gas capacity
AUGUSTA — The Maine Public Utilities Commission has approved a plan to require utility ratepayers to help pay for expanded natural gas. The three-member panel rejected a staff recommendation in voting unanimously for the proposal on Tuesday. But Maine would participate only if four other New England states follow suit with similar plans. Vermont wasn’t […]
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Maine PUC says state shouldn’t fund natural gas expansion
PORTLAND — The staff of the Maine Public Utilities Commission is recommending against spending up to $75 million a year to expand natural gas pipeline capacity in New England. The recommendation issued Wednesday is a potential setback for Maine Gov. Paul LePage’s efforts to boost pipeline capacity to bring more natural gas into the energy […]
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Not on oil? A quick look at the rest of Maine’s heating marketplace
* Wood Many homeowners who’ve moved off heating oil have turned to burning cordwood and pellets, according to Lisa Smith at the Governor’s Energy Office. Thirteen percent of Maine homes now rely on wood heat, the second-highest rate in the country, as counted by the 2010 U.S. Census. Smith only started tracking wood-pellet prices two […]
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Farmington board considers hooking into UMF heating plant
FARMINGTON — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday will discuss connecting the Community Center to a central heating plant planned for the University of Maine at Farmington. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, at the Municipal Building. The proposed 5,000-square-foot biomass plant is planned for a parking area at Quebec and Perkins […]
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MPUC staff wants evaluation of natural gas plan
PORTLAND (AP) — The Public Utilities Commission staff doesn’t want Maine electric customers to be charged for a natural gas pipeline expansion in New England. But it’s nonetheless recommending accepting the proposal so it can be fully evaluated. The recommendation will help the three-member PUC decide whether Maine should move ahead with an unprecedented plan […]
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Spectra, Northeast Utilities team up for $3 billion New England natural gas project
PORTLAND, Maine — The Houston-based Spectra Energy announced Tuesday that Northeast Utilities, New England’s largest electric utility, plans to be a co-investor in a $3 billion effort to expand two major natural gas pipelines in the region, one of which runs through Maine. Spectra’s pipeline expansion proposal was made public to a regional group coordinating […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Shrinking natural gas reserves threaten Maine’s pipeline plans
PORTLAND — Natural gas reserves in the U.S. are at an 11-year low, which has national energy analysts concerned and sets a backdrop in Maine for a series of precedent-setting decisions about expanding pipeline capacity for the fuel used to generate heat and electricity. Patrick Woodcock, director of the governor’s energy office, said in a […]