Energizing Maine
Mark Green
Posted August 12, 2016
Woods. Maine has lots of woods. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, nearly 90 percent of the state is forested. Hence the nickname: the Pine Tree State. Naturally, wood products factor heavily in Maine’s energy portfolio, with biomass supplying the largest share of the energy Maine uses annually (27.3 percent in 2014).
Click on the thumbnail for a two-page energy infographic for the Pine Tree State.
Yet, Maine is an all-of-the-above energy state – even with all those trees. Fuels from petroleum and natural gas are the next three largest energy sources, accounting for 52.8 percent of Maine’s energy use.
The energy challenge in Maine – as in the rest of New England – is having sufficient natural gas pipeline capacity to handle peak winter heating periods.
Be sure to check Page 2 of the infographic, which lays out the importance to the entire country of choosing the right energy policy path – key to the United States continuing to lead the world in oil and natural gas production.
Choosing a pro-energy development path would yield broad benefits to the U.S., including more energy, jobs, economic growth and consumer savings. The opposite policy path, one characterized by regulatory constraints, would have negative impacts.
Energy is essential for virtually every aspect of our daily lives. It powers national, state and local economies, gets us to work and goes into products we rely on for health and comfort. Safe, responsible energy development here at home is linked to national security as well as Americans’ individual prosperity and liberty – in Maine, Arizona, South Carolina, Louisiana, New Jersey and all the 50 states of energy.
About The Author
Mark Green joined API after a career in newspaper journalism, including 16 years as national editorial writer for The Oklahoman in the paper’s Washington bureau. Previously, Mark was a reporter, copy editor and sports editor at an assortment of newspapers. He earned his journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and master’s in journalism and public affairs from American University. He and his wife Pamela have two grown children and six grandchildren.