Maine independent gubernatorial candidate announces energy policy proposal
As all eyes are on the June primaries, one candidate who isn’t going to appear on the ballot until November is rolling out policy proposals.Rick Bennett, an independent candidate for governor, unveiled his energy plan on Thursday. He said he wants to focus on lowering costs for Maine’s heritage industries and weatherizing Maine homes. He made the announcement at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont. He “Our forest products industry contributes $8.3 billion to the state and supports 29,000 jobs,” Bennett said.The plan has four parts, first he wants to lower delivery costs. He said this will require utilities to maximize existing infrastructure.Second is his pledge to lower energy costs for those heritage industries. “When business energy costs go up, of course, the cost of goods goes up for consumers and companies start looking elsewhere. The cost of doing business in Maine is driving employers out of the state, taking good-paying jobs with them,” he said.He added that adding more companies to the grid could lower electric costs for Mainers.The third point in his plan: efficiency. This includes a $30 million bond to weatherize homes. “Weatherization is the fastest and, frankly, the most cost-effective way to lower energy use because the cheapest energy is the energy not wasted,” Bennett said.Finally, he wants to create a Maine Generation Authority.”That stabilizes supply costs, strengthens our economy, and ensures the benefits of Maine’s abundant renewable resources stay here at home,” Bennett said.He said this is modeled after New York.Because Bennett is running as an independent, he doesn’t have a primary, but his signatures to appear on the November ballot are due to the Secretary of State’s Office on June 1.
As all eyes are on the June primaries, one candidate who isn’t going to appear on the ballot until November is rolling out policy proposals.
Rick Bennett, an independent candidate for governor, unveiled his energy plan on Thursday. He said he wants to focus on lowering costs for Maine’s heritage industries and weatherizing Maine homes.
He made the announcement at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont. He
“Our forest products industry contributes $8.3 billion to the state and supports 29,000 jobs,” Bennett said.
The plan has four parts, first he wants to lower delivery costs. He said this will require utilities to maximize existing infrastructure.
Second is his pledge to lower energy costs for those heritage industries.
“When business energy costs go up, of course, the cost of goods goes up for consumers and companies start looking elsewhere. The cost of doing business in Maine is driving employers out of the state, taking good-paying jobs with them,” he said.
He added that adding more companies to the grid could lower electric costs for Mainers.
The third point in his plan: efficiency. This includes a $30 million bond to weatherize homes.
“Weatherization is the fastest and, frankly, the most cost-effective way to lower energy use because the cheapest energy is the energy not wasted,” Bennett said.
Finally, he wants to create a Maine Generation Authority.
“That stabilizes supply costs, strengthens our economy, and ensures the benefits of Maine’s abundant renewable resources stay here at home,” Bennett said.
He said this is modeled after New York.
Because Bennett is running as an independent, he doesn’t have a primary, but his signatures to appear on the November ballot are due to the Secretary of State’s Office on June 1.