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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 13 J U N E 1 5 , 2 0 2 0 F O C U S E N E R G Y / E N V I RO N M E N T e combination of circumstances at Summit illustrates the various roads energy companies are navigating in a time of volatility driven by the pandemic and economic meltdown. Demand for fuel oil and electricity plunged when much of the economy shut down. Still, with people hunkered down at home, there's increased interest in renewables and more discussion about energy consumption and where energy comes from. e International Energy Agency, a Paris-based forum of industrialized countries, expects worldwide energy use to decline by 6% this year. U.S. and European markets are projected to use 10% less energy, with oil taking the biggest hit. at would be the steep- est decline since World War II, says Andrew Price, president and COO of Competitive Energy Services, who was part of a Zoom panel discussion convened mid-May by Environmental and Energy Technology Council of Maine, or E2Tech. Less oil consumption has meant pro- ducers have taken wells offline, which influences the market for natural gas. "As oil production slows, there's less associated natural gas that comes up with the oil and we're starting to see that impact in the natural gas markets," which is down 5% since the beginning of April and is projected to decrease 10% over the next month or two, Price says. Each sector of the energy industry has experienced the pandemic in dif- ferent ways, as the following anec- dotes show. Natural gas As a natural gas delivery company, Summit has kept a close eye on the waning demand. But Adams views uncertainty as a chance to build resiliency. "What we learned is that we can never sleep at the wheel," he says. "Utilities in Maine did a good job stand- ing up during the pandemic. But it's a wake-up for all of us. We're learning to create even more robust processes so we can be there for the next crisis." A simple example was the move to remote work. Sensible Solutions www.cesincusa.com www.cesincusa.com 207.989.4824 207.989.4824 Consider CES your one-stop shop for site design and permitting, environmental due diligence, site survey, structural and MEP design, and more! CESI NC Engineers Environmental Scientists Surveyors " FAME provided much- needed capital assistance at a critical point in our evolution, enabling us to maintain sustainability and profi tability and signifi cantly increase production. We're now positioned to be an industry leader and poised for continued growth." Jarmin Kaltsas Founder, MAINE STANDARD BIOFUELS Helping Maine Businesses Succeed Since 1983 1-800-228-3734 • FAMEmaine.com Best Places to Work in Maine 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 6 » What we learned is that we can never sleep at the wheel. — Kurt Adams

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