Business and Economy

Two national companies that operate natural gas plants in Maine are stepping into the fight over Central Maine Power’s power line proposal for western Maine. They’ve created a new political action committee supporting a potential ballot item aimed at killing the CMP project.

A coalition of a dozen states released a draft agreement on Tuesday for a cap-and-trade program supporters say could drive down greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks, while producing billions of dollars for participating states. But opponents say the Transportation Climate Initiative depends on a regressive gas tax that will hurt rural residents in particular. And the question of whether Maine Gov. Janet Mills will sign on is still open.

Hemp producers from across Maine are asking the federal government to reconsider portions of draft rules governing their industry.

Hydro-Quebec, the Canadian energy company poised to supply hydropower to a proposed transmission line through western Maine, is joining a campaign to defeat a referendum that could scuttle the $1 billion project at the ballot box next year.

The electric utility Emera Maine and its would-be Canadian buyer Enmax are proposing millions of dollars in rate relief for customers — if the deal goes through. But some state lawmakers are calling on regulators to take their time setting terms for the $1.2 billion deal.

A new task force will convene for the first time Thursday to consider how and where to lease potentially vast swathes of the Gulf of Maine to offshore wind-energy developers. The outcome could have big consequences for Maine's fishing industry, and for the state's role in the next wave of renewable energy development.