MAINE BEACON (Maine People's Alliance) • October 25, 2022
During a gubernatorial debate Monday, Republican Paul LePage repeatedly attacked policies designed to reduce Maine’s dependency on fossil fuels and promote renewables while Democratic Gov. Janet Mills called for Maine to continue the transition to clean energy sources. LePage implied that he would support offshore drilling: “I’ll go where the oil is.” LePage also repeatedly said that he’d move swiftly to repeal LD 99, which directs the $17 billion Maine Public Employee Retirement System to divest $1.3 billion from fossil fuels within five years and directs the state treasurer to do the same with other state funds. LePage held back development of green energy sources like solar and wind power during his time in office — decisions that environmental advocates called disastrous. LePage’s statements during Monday’s debate are part of a lengthy record of opposing policies to fight climate change. LePage hired an oil industry lobbyist to run the state’s Department of Environmental Protection while in office and vetoed a measure to allow the state to begin planning for climate change.