Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 J U N E 2 7 , 2 0 1 6 M A I N E ' S E N E R G Y I N D U S T R Y F O C U S "Our region's natural-gas-fi red power resources are among the newest, most effi cient, and lowest-emitting plants in the country," he says. "When their access to low-priced gas from the Marcellus shale is unrestricted, New England has reliable, low-priced electricity." In its annual markets report, released on May 26, ISO New England reports that the average real-time price for wholesale electricity fell by 35% in 2015, which roughly parallels a 41% drop in the average price of natural gas last year. at's the good news that Woodcock says he also conveyed during his recent presentation at the Maine manufactur- ers' summit. As new natural gas pipe- lines get built and increase the supply for the region, he says, that should continue to drive wholesale prices for electricity downward. Although he thinks it's unrealistic to think that Maine or New England will ever have the lowest electricity costs in the country — noting, for example, we don't have the benefi t of massive federal power projects like the Ten nessee Valley Authority — Woodcock does think it's feasible to chase other leading paper mill states like Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and North Carolina. " ose are the states, from a wood products standpoint, that are our chief competition," he says. "It's an easier goal to attain, because we're at least in the ballpark [of catching those states]." e key, he says, will involve striking a balance between the rapid advances in renewable energy, and new grid management approaches such as GridSolar's pilot project in the Boothbay region, with the overarch- ing goal of having the lowest electric- ity costs possible for all ratepayers. Bath Iron Works and other large employers like Sappi are keeping close tabs on that balancing act as well. "When exploring ways to assist solar, biomass or other forms of generation, it is important to consider that passing the stranded costs or increased costs on ratepayers has a disproportionate impact on large energy users," BIW states in its written response to a list of Mainebiz questions. "In BIW's case, those increased costs are unanticipated and negatively impact bids that have already been submitted and awarded many years into the future, which have not taken into account cost increases that come along with policy decisions to pass costs off on industrial consumers." J M C , M a i n e b i z s e n i o r writer, can be reached at @ . and @ J M Guy-Charles Valois, CFA AND THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS. Ask high-net-worth investors why they work with investment managers with the CFA ® designation and they'll tell you that those letters represent a proven understanding of investment management, commitment to ethics, and always putting clients' interests first. Which means they can be relied on to stay true to an investor's financial goals. Because, for our charterholders and their clients, those three letters are making a real difference every day. I OFFER MY CLIENTS UNPARALLELED SERVICE © 2016 CFA Institute. All rights reserved. #CFAdifference CFAsociety.org/maine WANNA SAVE $$$$? Maine Electrical Alliance Introduces The Exclusive LED Lighting Lease It's The Lease That Pays For Itself! FACT: Your savings will exceed your lease payment! FACT: Save up to 20% on your lighting bills! FACT: No upfront costs! FACT: LEDs extended life = less replacement bulbs over time! FACT: LEDs do not emit any heat — your A/C will reduce over time! If you're serious about saving on your business bills, then you seriously need to call us today! 1-888-666-1947 www.MaineElectricalAlliance.org Certain restrictions apply.

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