The Conservation Law Foundation is appealing a decision that it claims restricts the Efficiency Maine Trust from fulfilling its mission.

The foundation contends that a July 6 settlement agreement among the Maine Public Utilities Commission, the trust and several other organizations interested in the trust’s three-year operating plan violates the law.

The environmental organization wants to push for a better deal, according to a release from the foundation.

“From saddling Mainers with a $1 billion bill for a wasteful gas pipeline to approving this unlawful plan, the Public Utilities Commission has failed Mainers time and time again,” said Ben Tettlebaum, staff attorney with the foundation.

“It’s the PUC’s duty to work for the best interests of the people of Maine, not the self-interest of Governor LePage.”

The environmental group is objecting to the PUC’s removal of more than $250 million in benefits in the trust’s three-year plan, which it equates to a 30 percent budget cut.

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Last week the foundation released a statement critical of the PUC’s decision to support the expansion of a natural gas infrastructure in New England.

The appeal, filed with the PUC Tuesday, will be forwarded to the Maine Supreme Court, said Mitch Tannenbaum, a PUC attorney.

Neither he nor Derek Davidson, a spokesman for the PUC, offered comment on the foundation’s claims, citing the pending litigation.

Established in 2009, the Efficiency Maine Trust provides resources and financial incentives to residents and businesses to become more energy efficient.


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