AUGUSTA, Maine - Gov. Paul LePage told members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee that federal rules governing the licensing of natural gas pipelines and hydropower projects are excessively complex.
LePage urged federal lawmakers to change the laws governing the process. "The people of New England want these projects done, but bureaucracy is preventing timely action," he said. "Bureaucracy has hijacked democracy."
LePage said Maine has lost good manufacturing jobs because the cost of energy in the state - and in all of New England - is too high. He said the region needs more natural gas capacity and more use of existing hydropower resources for energy costs in the region to be truly affordable.
The committee is currently considering bills that would reduce regulations for hydropower projects and speed up permits for natural gas pipelines.
