"Staying Warm" News Stories Continued
<<Go Back More Stories>>
Prepare For Record High Electricity Rates
Reported By: Barbara Cariddi Date Aired: 7/29/2008
Electricity rates for Maine's industrial and commercial users are about to hit record highs. State utility regulators today announced that businesses that rely on the default rate known as the "standard offer" will soon see big hikes. Those rates are proposed by suppliers, who offer competitive bids. But as Maine Public Utilities chair Sharon Reishus unveiled the winning bid for Central Maine Power Company's large electricity users, it was clear that the competitive process would not be enough to keep rates from rising sharply.
More Mainers Seeking Energy Audits
Reported By: Keith McKeen Date Aired: 7/29/2008
The high price of fuel is boosting concerns among home owners about the expenses they'll face in the fall without proper insulation, replacement windows and other essentials for keeping out the cold. In turn, energy auditors and contractors who do home weatherization projects are scrambling to stay ahead of consumer requests before the onset of the heating season.
Homeless Shelters Already at Capacity
Reported By: Anne Ravana Date Aired: 7/25/2008
Homeless shelters in Maine are filling to capacity and some directors believe their waiting lists will only get longer as fuel and food costs rise. Shelters in Bangor and Ellsworth are receiving more calls from families who can no longer make ends meet. But in Portland, it's individuals rather than families who are seeking beds.
Environmentalists Fear Turn To Wood Heat May Harm Air Quality
Reported By: A.J. Higgins Date Aired: 7/23/2008
As Mainers seek alternatives to oil heat, there is growing concern that they may be sacrificing air quality by burning more wood fuels. A state task force charged with examining wood-to-energy options was told today that new advances in wood-burning technologies are changing long-held opinions on the efficiency of outdoor wood boilers as well as indoor wood stoves.
Heating and Transportation Costs Doubled in Last Five Years
Reported By: Susan Sharon Date Aired: 7/22/2008
The governor's energy task force published its final report on Tuesday. The task force is recommending seven short-term actions to be taken by the state, private businesses, non profits and neighborhood groups. The strategies largely rely on people looking out for one another.
LIHEAP Funding Increase Requested By Congressional Delegation
Reported By: Susan Sharon Date Aired: 7/16/2008
Maine's congressional delegation today announced a major legislative push to increase funding for the low income home energy assistance program known as LIHEAP. But as state and local government officials scramble to come up with ways to keep residents warm this winter.
Economic Conditions Forcing Some Landlords to Abandon Their Property
Reported By: Susan Sharon Date Aired: 7/14/2008
Faced with high energy costs and lower profit margins, landlords around Maine are scrambling to make the numbers work. Some are switching from oil to natural gas or other alternative sources of heat. Some are investing in insulation. Some are raising rents. Unable to keep pace with last year's costs, several landlords in Lewiston Auburn abandoned their buildings altogether leaving tenants in the cold and city officials in the lurch.
State Task Force Calls for Massive Winterization Effort
Reported By: Barbara Cariddi Date Aired: 7/9/2008
Citing the need for a dramatic change in energy consumption patterns, a state task force is calling for a massive effort to winterize all of Maine's single-family homes in ten years. The so-called "Pre-Emergency Energy Task Force" is also recommending that each community in Maine create "warming shelters" for emergencies, rebuild the state's passenger rail infrastructure.
New England Governors Focus on Energy Strategies
Reported By: A.J. Higgins Date Aired: 7/9/2008
New England's governors met today for an energy summit in Boston to discuss a range of common problems that have been exacerbated by rising energy costs. Gov. John Baldacci, the chair of the New England Governors’ Conference, says the region's governors must collaborate to map out the short- and long-term strategies for issues like renewable energy sources and energy efficiencies.
Allen Unveils Energy Plan While Campaigning in Bangor
Reported By: Anne Ravana Date Aired: 7/2/2008
Democratic Congressman and U.S. Senate nominee Tom Allen made several appearances in Bangor today to discuss local healthcare concerns as well as to present his strategy to decrease the countries reliance on foreign fuels and help Mainers pay for oil this winter.
More Stories>>
|
