LePage bill, intended to create jobs, would have given special deal to Irving
Source: Kennebec Journal
Gov. Paul LePage promoted a late-session bill this month that would have benefited Canadian forestry giant J.D. Irving by giving above-market-rate electric contracts to companies that create sawmill and biomass energy jobs.
Irving’s name doesn’t appear on L.D. 1632, which calls for establishing a manufacturing jobs program. Although other companies potentially could benefit from it, the proposed law was written on behalf of and tailored for Irving. Lawmakers refer to it simply as the Irving bill.
Critics say the bill, which expands elements of an existing program and ties new incentives to biomass plants, amounts to a multimillion-dollar subsidy for one of the state’s largest landowners. They also say it was hypocritical for a governor who rails against energy policies that increase electric rates to support a bill that would do exactly that.
LePage initially pushed for lawmakers to take up the bill before the Legislature adjourns. But the sense of urgency faded when members of the governor’s energy team – who didn’t get to scrutinize the bill until the day it was printed – realized the potential impact on electric customers. Large manufacturers were especially alarmed, saying their electric bills could potentially increase by $2 million a year. By then, there was opposition to quick action, and lawmakers on the committee that handles energy matters voted to carry it over until next year.
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Read more: http://www.centralmaine.com/2017/06/18/lepage-bill-intended-to-create-jobs-would-have-given-special-deal-to-irving/
Corrupt Paulie LePew butters the bread of his Canadian cronies at the expense of Maine people and businesses.
yup
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