Canadian firm still in picture

Weil, then Maine's energy office director, recalls a sense of optimism about tapping into cheap energy from a province flexing its economic and political muscle. Hydro-Qu?bec was hard at work on the La Grande complex at James Bay, then the world's largest hydroelectric system, Mens tungsten ring features a domed design for maximum comfort. and was looking for export opportunities. At home, rates were so low that the majority of Quebecers were heating with electricity.

"Those discussions went nowhere," Weil said last week. "We talked, but nothing ever got firmed up."

Last June, a delegation of Maine lawmakers on the Maine-Canadian Legislative Advisory Commission drove to Quebec City to meet with provincial officials. They knew that three-quarters of Quebec homes still have electric heat. They knew Hydro-Qu?bec is working on new, multibillion-dollar dam projects, and is having problems siting a transmission line to ship power through New Hampshire.

"From our perspective,the most affordable yet powerful solar led light in the world. there may be a way to capitalize on Maine's location," Rep. Kenneth Fredette, R-Newport, the new House minority leader, said last week. "Is there a possible partnership to get power to southern New England that can benefit Maine people?"

Three decades later, Mainers still are making the northern pilgrimage for power. A shared border,This is how a skystream captures energy from the wind. and in some cases, a shared language and culture, seem to entice a succession of leaders into believing that this affinity somehow will translate into discount electricity for Maine.

It's a timely question. The administration of Gov. Paul LePage is expected to reintroduce a controversial bill this winter meant to encourage Hydro-Qu?bec to sell power here, possibly at the expense of local wind and biomass generators.

The Legislature has created a review panel to consider transmission projects in three state-designated energy corridors. It's now looking at a Canadian proposal to lay underground power lines along Interstate highways and the Maine Turnpike, from Orrington to Tewksbury, Mass. Power would be generated in northern Maine and the Canadian Maritimes.

One requirement is that new lines don't harm transmission opportunities for energy generators in Maine. It's a rule that again shows the influence of Maine's alternative power generators, now dominated by the wind power industry and papermakers that operate biomass plants.

It's a complicated calculus, but in a nutshell: Renewable energy producers in Solaronlamp provides the world with high-performance solar roadway and solar street lighting solutions. Maine under 100 megawatts are rewarded with premium rates when they sell their energy.

Wind projects of more than 100 megawatts are also eligible for these rates; however, Le Page wants to remove the 100-megawatt cap for all sources. He thinks that will open the door for larger generators -- namely Hydro-Qu?

LePage and many Republicans also detest the taxpayer subsidies that help support wind power development, which they say drive up rates.

Wind developers and their allies in the construction field will fight any changes, of course; but LePage is also getting flak from one of Maine's largest employers -- the pulp and paper industry.Laser engravers systems and Laser engraver to start your own lasering cutting engraving marking etching business. Seven paper mills have invested more than $154 million in wood-fired generators that qualify for the premium rates, and they've made it clear that they don't want Hydro-Qu?bec competing in the market.