AUGUSTA — The political power play over Maine’s Public Utilities Commission continued Friday as Gov. Paul LePage accused lawmakers of “playing games” with a nominee and Democrats reiterated their claims of a “crisis of confidence” in the commission.

Meanwhile, LePage revealed that his administration has launched an investigation into the Land for Maine’s Future program, which is at the center of another dispute between the Republican governor and Democrats who control one chamber of the Legislature.

The two developments, although unrelated, are an indication of rampant political gamesmanship as the legislative session enters its final weeks. LePage railed against Democrats on Friday and called on them to apologize publicly for energy committee members’ decision Thursday to delay a vote on Bruce Williamson, a Tennessee economist nominated to fill one of three seats at the PUC.

“Folks, this is not what Maine is about,” a visibly frustrated LePage said during a lengthy news conference at the Blaine House. “This is not why I work 80 hours a week on behalf of Maine people to have these children come and play games in the State House.”

Democrats responded by stressing that they have not ruled out Williamson’s eventual appointment to the PUC, which regulates the state’s electricity, gas, water and telephone utilities.

“Each commissioner serves a six-year term that holds great responsibility in one of the most important policy areas for our state,” Rep. Mark Dion, D-Portland, House chairman of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, said in a statement. “Even without the current crisis of confidence surrounding the PUC, this is a decision that warrants careful deliberation – not a rush job.”

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Democrats have cited two recent controversial PUC decisions – one dealing with long-term power purchase contracts with wind energy companies and another concerning funding for the Efficiency Maine program – as signs that the commission might be letting political ideology influence its decisions. Democrats have criticized the votes cast by LePage’s two PUC appointees on both cases.

“Decisions like these are shrouded in politics and portend a troubling new era,” Sen. Dawn Hill of York, the assistant Democratic leader, said in a Democratic radio address airing this weekend. “Along with Governor LePage’s two commissioner appointments, it seems a loss of objectivity and integrity has followed the PUC. Never before has there been a crisis of confidence in the PUC like we are seeing today.”

There have been suggestions that Democrats are delaying a vote on Williamson, in part, as leverage with LePage on a bill that would correct a clerical error worth up to $38 million in funding for Efficiency Maine, a state program that offers incentives to residents and businesses to make energy-efficient improvements.

A “clean-fix” bill passed the Democratic-controlled House on a 138-1 vote but has lingered in the Republican-controlled Senate. LePage has vowed to veto the bill unless the Legislature agrees to create a Cabinet-level energy commissioner position and give his administration more say over who heads Efficiency Maine.

Democrats have often accused LePage of playing politics this session, most notably over bonds for the Land for Maine’s Future program. LePage has vowed not to release more than $11 million in voter-approved bonds for the land conservation program unless lawmakers agree to a separate plan to fund a home-heating assistance program with revenues from timber harvesting on state-owned land. A bill allowing increased harvesting on state lands failed in committee Thursday.

When asked by a reporter Friday whether he was engaging in similar political gamesmanship with the LMF bonds, LePage replied, “OK,” but said the difference was that “I didn’t hurt anybody.”

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“This is about what they did to a human being, … to a candidate,” LePage said. “It has nothing to do with bonds.”

LePage also revealed that his administration is investigating the LMF program, which has helped conserve more than 500,000 acres in Maine, including well-known tourist spots such as Moosehead Lake’s Mount Kineo and the Bold Coast in Cutler.

“I hired somebody to look at (the conservation projects),” LePage said.

Adrienne Bennett, the governor’s spokeswoman, confirmed afterward that the governor asked the Office of Policy and Management to conduct an “internal investigation” of all LMF projects. If necessary, a third party could be brought in to do a further evaluation of the program, she said.

Established in 1987, the LMF program protects farmland, forests and working waterfronts from development through conservation easements or land sales. Applicants must match money from Maine bonds with private donations or other funds, and properties must remain open to the public for recreation.

All projects are reviewed by the LMF’s board of directors, composed of appointees nominated by the governor and three members of the governor’s Cabinet. Bennett declined to say what, precisely, the administration was investigating but said the review began several months ago.

“The governor wants to ensure that all regulations and laws are followed as it relates to the application process … and that everything is being done by the books on these projects,” Bennett said.

The governor’s refusal to issue the voter-approved bonds is causing angst among landowners and land trusts that have negotiated more than 30 projects already approved for funding from the LMF board. Several projects have been forced to negotiate extensions on purchase agreements.

 


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