On Feb. 28, a full-page advertisement in the state’s largest daily newspaper asked, “Why on Earth would Augusta send good Maine jobs to Canada?”
The ad, paid for by Maine Jobs First, LLC, came in advance of Tuesday’s public hearing for LD 1786, “An Act Regarding Energy Infrastructure Development.”
The Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy is sorting through a three-way report from an energy corridor commission convened in 2009 to discuss ways to use the state’s public lands to establish energy transmission corridors.
Emergency legislation extended the commission’s reporting deadline from December 2009 to May 2010. The commission took three positions on how best to ensure Maine utilizes its public land for the transmission of energy and paid specific attention to the development of renewable, Maine-based power sources, energy security, price stability, as well as environmental and economic goals.
Before a standing-room-only crowd, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle appeared before the committee, many voicing as much support for job creation as for establishing control over energy transmission corridors erected along the I-95 corridor, including the Maine Turnpike, I-295 and the Searsport-Loring corridor.
Testimony heard March 2 hints much work remains.
In summarizing the work of the appointed commission Tuesday, Sen. Barry Hobbins (D-Saco), co-chair of the joint standing committee and chair of the corridor commission said, “It’s a very daunting task the commission took on.”
His words were not lost on the audience, some of which slumped against a back wall and waited for a turn to discuss jobs creation and energy, and how the two are co-dependent in Maine.
Senator Hobbins urged the committee to give favorable review to each of the reports and underscored the legislation was an attempt to “make Maine a better place and utilize the best energy practices for Maine’s future.”
As proposed, the Maine Public Utilities Commission would review proposed uses of the corridor. Representative Herb Adams asked which agency would hear appeals of rejected proposals; his question went unanswered.
After Hobbins’ introduction, Maine Public Utilities Commission Jack Cashman was invited to speak. A member of the corridor commission, Cashman wasted little time saying his interests before the committee Tuesday were as a corridor commission member and not a voting member of the PUC.
During testimony, Cashman echoed his previous role as the Maine Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and said the corridor legislation could promote both clean energy use and job creation.
He also said the legislation could help ensure Maine does not become a “pass-through” for electricity from Hydro-Quebec.
That argument gained little ground with Rep. Kenneth Fletcher (R-Winslow), who pushed Cashman to prove Maine can match the hydro-electric capacity and the under three-cent cost of electricity from Hydro-Quebec.
Of Maine and Quebec, “Who is going to get to the marketplace first?” Rep. Fletcher asked.
Rep. Fletcher urged an overall strategy for power generation in Maine.
Cashman said the Hydro-Quebec is not the only company competing for Maine’s electric grid and supply chain. Midwestern coal and wind companies also want to transmit electricity to Maine, he said, adding Mainers would get the acid rain associated with burning fossil fuels in return.
Lawmakers urged the committee to endorse a comprehensive energy strategy, a point reiterated by Rep. Sharon Treat (D-Hallowell) and Rep. Margaret Rotundo (D- Lewiston) in testimony. Both hope the commission will extend the review process outlined for use of transmission lines in public corridors on private lands in order to protect against a two-tiered regulatory review.
Sen. Peter Mills addressed the committee and encouraged all transmission line development – whether on public or private lands – needs to be reviewed to ensure it helps lower costs and cannot impeded the development of renewable energy generation in Maine.
“I was just talking to my good friend Tony Buxton,” Cashman said, sharing the two felt the complaint of business owners was once high taxes, yet it has switched to high electric rates.
“If they want to come through this state they will have to sell us some of that two-and-a-half-cent electricity” and make a “long-term agreement” Cashman said of Canadian energy interests.
The hearing also promoted a press conference by Maine Jobs First. The law offices of Preti Flaherty organized the press conference and outlined supporters of Maine Jobs First.
Preti’s interest in LD 1768 appears extensive.
Although the Maine Secretary of State does not have online records for Maine Jobs First, LLC, which is credited with placing the full-page advertisement, it does have connections to Maine Jobs First Inc., a Maine Nonprofit Mutual Benefit Corporation, a 501(C)(4).
Three women are listed as the directors of the nonprofit, all of whom work for Preti, according to staff directories. Melissa Graves, Lisa Wright and Kimberly Bartlett are listed in state corporate filings as the original directors of Maine Jobs First.
According to myspace.com, Bartlett is a legal assistant for Preti Flaherty. Graves is also listed as a director of Maine Jobs First; the 1990 Cony High School graduate works for Preti as an assistant. From Graves’ facebook.com listing, “I work in the Energy and Legislative departments for one of Maine’s largest law firms. I have an amazing job!!”
However, the directors’ names and contact information do not appear on mainejobsfirst.com, a copyrighted website developed by Savvy Inc., of Portland.
Savvy is a public relations firm owned by Dennis Bailey, the former press secretary for Gov. Angus King and the senior media advisor to the 2002 Baldacci for Governor campaign.
Bailey is the registered clerk of Maine Jobs First Inc., for which articles of incorporation indicate the nonprofit endeavors to “promote the improved conditions and economic opportunities for the people of the State of Maine through appropriate means including (among other things) advocating for jobs in Maine and creating awareness of related issues.”
Yet specific business interests remain unidentified.
The Maine Jobs First website does not list member organizations or affiliations.
Nonetheless, members of the United Steelworkers, the AFL-CIO and others appeared to testify on LD 1786, some holding prepared statements indicating support for jobs creation through controlling energy interests and reiterating some of the information contained in the Maine Jobs First advertisement.
Earlier in the day, a press conference scheduled by Preti prior to the start of the hearing indicated opposition to LD 1786 by Mark Isaacson of Competitive Energy Services, LLC. The company is registered in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Texas and New York. Its registered agent is Michael Gentile, an attorney with Preti Flaherty in Portland.
March 2009 is the most recent annual report filing for Competitive Energy Services. Richard Silkman of Scarborough, Mark Isaacson of Cumberland, Anthony Buxton of Portland, Philip Sekerak of Winthrop, John Perry of Readfield, Ralph Wink of Gray, Glenn and Molly Poole of Orrington, Stephen McGraw of Waterville, and Jon Sorenson of Boxford, Mass., are listed as members.
Buxton was also in attendance representing the Industrial Energy Consumers Group. The Maine businesses require power 24-hours a day and Buxton has been vocal about Maine’s need to separate from the ISO power grid on their behalf.
Critics argue a regional power grid, like the ISO New England grid, discourage competition and keeps new energy producers from entering the marketplace.
In 2009 the Maine PUC ruled Maine utilities should remain part of the ISO through February 2012 and also considered the benefits of Maine joining a Canadian transmission grid. The federally funded ISO helps set electric rates.
The Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy meets again March 4 to discuss LD 1786.
Some lawmakers hope the committee moves quickly.
“We have to move quickly, ensure the projects will reduce costs and create jobs,” Rep. Seth Berry said. “It’s imperative we do all three of those things if we are going to move forward.”
