Maine House overrides energy veto
Maine House overrides governor's veto of energy bill designed to lower costs
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- The Maine House of Representatives has voted to override the governor's veto of an energy bill that aims to expand the region's natural gas infrastructure and lower energy costs.
The House early Thursday voted 121-11 to override a veto by Gov. Paul LePage late Wednesday.
LePage objected to certain provisions of the bill, including one that would allow the Maine Public Utilities Commission rather than the Legislature to set the systems benefit charge that's added to nearly all electric bills to fund conservation and efficiency programs.
He also wanted to scale back some of the state's wind-energy goals.
The state Senate is expected to take up the override vote next week. The bill passed the Senate 28-7.
