Cutler, meanwhile, began by going after the lone candidate missing Friday — Republican Paul LePage — for expressing support for exploring for oil off the coast of Maine. Cutler called the position “unconscionable” given the importance of Maine’s fisheries and tourism industry.

The candidates also said Maine needs to do a better job marketing its fisheries, especially lobster.

“There may be a market in South China or Vassalboro,” said Cutler, “but there’s a bigger market in China. A billion people … want our lobster.” Cutler said he also would work to expand Maine’s markets.

You can read the full article here.

[Cutler] believes he has some answers about how to rein in the high cost of health insurance in the state. The health care reform package passed by the U.S. Congress provides an opportunity to set up an insurance co-op for small businesses, he said. If small businesses could be bundled together and purchase insurance in a group, Cutler said, he believes costs would become more manageable.

You can read the full article here.

While working at the White House, Eliot was responsible for approving and cutting programs that represented a significant portion of the federal budget.

Maine Energy Resources, a publicly-owned business chartered to operate as a public power authority, will use low-cost, tax-exempt capital to generate electricity throughout Maine from our renewable resources and will accelerate the development of clean and low-cost electricity in Maine. Maine Energy Resources will invest in energy efficiency in Maine and will enter into public-private partnerships with energy entrepreneurs. Maine Energy Resources will not export electricity out of state, because an important part of its mission will be to put the electricity to work in Maine.

Lowering the cost of electricity is one of the most important tools we can use to keep jobs in Maine, to expand businesses in Maine and to attract new investment.

THE QUESTION

I want to ask your position on the new push for nuclear power. Given your history, I know you are environmentally sensitive. I am, I guess, looking for some assurance that you won’t support nuclear power and that Maine will continue to be a nuclear-free state. Thank you.

- Karen Mayer

ELIOT’S ANSWER

Hi Karen,

Thank you for your question.

I do care greatly about the environment, and have spent much of my career working on environmental issues, going back to my days with Sen. Muskie when I helped to write the Clean Air and Water Acts.

I do not support nuclear power in Maine.

I do believe, however, that we must lower the cost of living and doing business in Maine and that lower cost electricity is one of the major ways we can accomplish that.

I want to create Maine Energy Resources, a public power authority that will use low-cost capital to help entrepreneurs develop clean, renewable energy to be used in Maine, creating more jobs and higher incomes for Maine people.

Eliot

Cutler used the occasion to tout his three-point plan to make Maine a more affordable place to live and do business by lowering the cost of electricity, along with lowering the cost of health care and government.

“Lowering electricity costs is one the big levers we can use to create jobs and attract investment in Maine,” Cutler said. “One of Maine’s competitive advantages is our abundant sources of renewable energy. We have great opportunities for solar energy, as well as wind, tidal and biomass. As a state, we should be doing all we can to encourage new sources of lower cost electricity that can be put to work here in Maine.”

Cutler praised the joint venture between the Roberts company and Solar Market/Sun Gen, the company that installed the system. “I am excited that these two companies are on the cutting edge of innovative energy partnerships in Maine, and I’m sure many others will be watching and learning from this project,” he said.

The Independent candidate and former White House energy chief also has called for the creation of a Maine Power Authority, which would use low-cost capital to partner with energy entrepreneurs to develop new power projects around the state. More information about Cutler and his plans for Maine can be found at www.cutler2010.com.

You can read the complete article here.

JANUARY 29, 2010
CONTACT: TED O’MEARA
207.699.4401
ted@cutler2010.com

INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR ELIOT CUTLER ATTENDS ACTIVATION OF LARGEST SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM IN MAINE; TOUTS RENEWABLE ENERGY

ALFRED, Maine – Independent candidate for Governor Eliot Cutler today attended a celebration of the activation of the largest utility interfaced solar energy system in Maine. The new system, installed at the George R. Roberts Company in Alfred, includes more than 600 solar panels and is two and a-half times larger than any system previously installed in Maine.

Cutler used the occasion to tout his three-point plan to make Maine a more affordable place to live and do business by lowering the cost of electricity, along with lowering the cost of health care and government.

“Lowering electricity costs is one the big levers we can use to create jobs and attract investment in Maine,” Cutler said. “One of Maine’s competitive advantages is our abundant sources of renewable energy. We have great opportunities for solar energy, as well as wind, tidal and biomass. As a state, we should be doing all we can to encourage new sources of lower cost electricity that can be put to work here in Maine.”

Cutler praised the joint venture between the Roberts company and Solar Market/Sun Gen, the company that installed the system. “I am excited that these two companies are on the cutting edge of innovative energy partnerships in Maine, and I’m sure many others will be watching and learning from this project,” he said.

The Independent candidate and former White House energy chief also has called for the creation of a Maine Power Authority, which would use low-cost capital to partner with energy entrepreneurs to develop new power projects around the state. More information about Cutler and his plans for Maine can be found at www.cutler2010.com.