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V I E W P O I N T S W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 3 J U N E 2 5 , 2 0 1 8 From the Editor J ust in the past few weeks, Mainebiz has had a number of stories about energy projects. Central Maine Power won a contract, with HydroQuebec, to build a $950 million transmis- sion network that will connect Massachusetts to Canadian hydropower. On the wind power front, Maine regulators will reopen terms of the Maine Aqua Ventus proposal to build off shore wind tur- bines. In the solar power arena, tiny Isle au Haut plans to replace its underwater power cable with a solar array that could supply the island's energy needs for years to come. Maine businesses contend with some of the highest energy costs in the nation. But, as these stories partly illustrate, Maine also has an abundance of natural resources that reduce the dependence on fossil fuel- run power plants. is issue of Mainebiz focuses on energy. Instead of delving deeply into one or two issues, we decided with this issue to take a broader look with brief stores high- lighting what's new. e focus starts on Page 15. Real estate continues to drive interest Early this year, Mainebiz launched a second Real Estate Insider newsletter and the interest in property deals has not abated. A quick look at our Top 10 sto- ries from the past two weeks (see column on left), has real estate stories in the top spot and at No. 6. ere's the natural interest readers have in business decisions and the people behind the deals, but there's also a lot of money fl owing right now. Financing is available. How long will it last? We'll see. e Federal Reserve Bank expects to raise rates at least three times this year, and it's not clear yet what kind of impact policy changes will have. But for the foreseeable future we'll continue to monitor the sales closely. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz High energy costs bring out Yankee ingenuity Featured @ Mainebiz.biz For a daily digest of Maine's top business news, sign up for the Mainebiz Daily Report at mainebiz.biz/enews Get Maine's business news daily at mainebiz.biz and on Twitter (@Mainebiz). Below is our top content from the weeks of June 3 – 19. 1. Fast sale of Old Saco Inn unusual for the hospitality sector 2. Couple launches Portland food tours with an educational twist 3. Sterling Kozlowski, KeyBank's Maine market president, passes away 4. Craft brewer drops the niceties in lawsuit over trademarks 5. Briana Warner named CEO of Ocean Approved 6. Developer, broker, buyers finding magic at Smithfield camps 7. Investor group with a range of business interests buys Maine Media Collective 8. Market likes WEX fleet-card deal with Shell 9. $7M Maine-built yacht delivered to 94-year-old with need for 'a project' 10. Calais hospital terminates management agreement with for-profit firm P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y T H E B & B T E A M 1 Be selective. BE SHUR. bernsteinshur.com When you need a partner who knows the law —and your industry. Maine businesses contend Maine businesses contend Maine businesses contend Maine businesses contend Maine businesses contend Maine businesses contend Maine businesses contend Maine businesses contend Maine businesses contend with some of the highest with some of the highest with some of the highest with some of the highest with some of the highest with some of the highest with some of the highest with some of the highest with some of the highest with some of the highest with some of the highest with some of the highest with some of the highest energy costs in the nation, but Maine also has an abundance of natural resources—including wind, solar and hydro power.