AUGUSTA, Maine - A study commissioned by Maine utility regulators says that the cost of proposals that they're examining to increase natural gas supply would exceed the benefits to the state.
The Maine Public Utilities Commission is examining several contract proposals to boost natural gas supply in an effort to lower energy prices in Maine. The Legislature has authorized the commission to spend up to $75 million a year to buy up to 200 cubic feet of natural gas capacity per day.
But a report by Boston-based London Economic International LLC found that the benefits to consumers would not outweigh the costs under any of the proposals. The group says that's primarily because Maine consumes a small amount of gas and power compared to the rest of New England.