When E2Tech first talked about organizing a discussion about data centers, someone said to me, “Make sure you present both sides of the issue.” But then every person I talked to had a unique perspective that somehow was both aligned and in tension with other perspectives in unexpected ways. We have put together a diverse panel with expertise in energy, environmental, and policy issues that goes beyond “bothsidesism” because we don’t live in a binary world that can be reduced to just ones and zeroes, good and bad, left and right, us and them. The world is not black and white and the alternative is not a sea of gray. 

Allow me to say something obvious, the world is a vast rainbow of colors. And how beautiful it is. There are so many shades of color that we make up names like Zomp, Fulvous, Mindaro, Grullo, and Sinopia. (Yes, I learned these are colors by reading Dungeon Crawler Carl.) Beyond these fun names, there are wavelengths of light we cannot see with our own two eyes, but we know they are there. 

I have a lot of questions for our panelists about data centers, but for a productive conversation, maybe the most important questions are the ones we ask ourselves. Am I here just to confirm what I already believe? Am I here to really listen and learn, or am I here to listen just enough to poke holes in someone else’s argument, or to understand only enough to try to persuade them of what I already think? I’m not saying that people shouldn’t have agendas. Of course, we would like others to see things our way. E2Tech’s approach in organizing this event is not to tell you how to feel or what to think, but to provide an opportunity to see a wider spectrum, to grasp a broader perspective, to add a little color. - E2Tech’s Orion Breen

We hope you are open to joining the conversation on May 28th in South Portland at 5:30pm. Thanks to gold sponsor Flycatcher LLC and silver sponsors Tetra Tech, Sevee & Maher Engineers, and Pierce Atwood LLP. Find out more at: www.e2tech.org/our-events

This energy discussion at E2Tech's Legislative Breakfast is a good primer for E2Tech's Legislative Wrap Up webinar on April 29th and E2Tech's Gridsilience event on May 6. Check out these and other great informational resources at www.e2tech.org 

For about 20 years E2Tech has hosted a morning gathering in Augusta for our Maine's legislative leaders and E2Tech members. The February 2026 breakfast, which was about one month into the new legislative session, was moderated by Katherine Stratton of Bernstein Shur with Maine PUC Commissioner Phil Bartlett, Craig Nale of CMP, Jeremy Payne of Cornerstone Government Affairs, Representatives Gerry Runte and Mathew McIntyre as panelists. More about the panel here: https://www.e2tech.org/post/what-does-maine-s-energy-future-look-like-reflections-from-e2tech-s-legislative-breakfast-energy-pa

Thanks to Legislative Breakfast platinum sponsor Drummond Woodsum, gold sponsor The Roux Institute at Northeastern University, and our silver sponsors Stantec, Pierce Atwood and the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.

It has become popular in some circles to write the obituary of the environmental movement, to refer to the passing of the "golden era" for environmentalism. It is asserted that public interest has waned, that new worries have captured attention, that inflation, the energy crisis, and international conflict have superseded if not wiped out public concern over environmentalism. Those who write that view are uninformed… Senator Gaylord Nelson wrote those words ten years after he helped found Earth Day in 1970, and they certainly resonate today.

At E2Tech we strive to bring people together so they remain informed, engaged, inspired and energized. Today, while preparing for next week’s Legislative Wrap Up webinar, Tony Buxton reminded me of the profound impact of the work and words of Senator Nelson and inspired me to dig deeper. While politics are important, the impact of the Environmental Revolution was beyond passing laws that can be unenforced, reinterpreted or rewritten. Senator Nelson noted that the Environmental Revolution has done more than change our physical surroundings and economics, it has reshaped people's philosophy of life and scale of values.

The first phase of the Environmental Revolution was focused on preventing harm. The new phase we are in now is combined with a Technological Revolution focused on creating solutions, access and abundance. I see this in the innovative businesses and entrepreneurs being supported by the Maine Technology Institute, many of whom are working to make more sustainable (and less toxic) the products and materials that surround us (and even end up inside us as microplastics and forever chemicals).

I saw it last week at The Roux Institute’s student showcase where I was inspired by student leaders like Pascal Zigashane. Pascal is using renewable energy to bring internet connectivity to the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya so that people are no longer isolated from their loved ones or from the knowledge and opportunities to improve their quality of life. The Roux Institute is a special place that is bringing people together from across the world to help make Maine a global innovator in ClimateTech and more. I’m excited to have The Roux host E2Tech’s GRIDsilience event on May 6 where we will discuss the challenges and opportunities of building the grid of the future with more affordable clean energy.

Despite the noise of my newsfeed, I continue to be inspired by the community we have here and the thoughtfulness, compassion and ingenuity of the people who live in and love Maine. I believe you can’t live in Maine without being an environmentalist and I believe our “golden era” is just beginning.

Find out more about E2Tech: www.e2tech.org

Jeff Marks is ClimateWork Maine’s first Executive Director and has worked for twenty years at the intersection of business, government, and the economy. ClimateWork Maine's Annual Summit digs into one of the most urgent questions facing Maine’s economy: how do we put climate at the forefront while keeping our businesses—and our communities—affordable and resilient? Marks tells E2Tech's Orion Breen how from small businesses on Main Street to growing regional employers, climate dominance is no longer a “nice to have” strategy; it’s the backbone of long-term competitiveness, supply chain stability, and cost control. When you design for lower emissions, you’re also designing for energy savings, risk reduction, and a stronger bottom line. ClimateWork Maine gives voice to entrepreneurs, investors, and operators who are already building climate-smart, cost-conscious business models—and helps others with practical ideas you can apply right away. Whether you’re a small business owner, startup founder, or established leader, join E2Tech at ClimateWork Maine's Annual Summit—this is where Maine’s next chapter in climate and affordability takes shape. For more about E2Tech's podcast: https://www.e2tech.org/post/new-podcast

A discussion of the challenges of permitting energy projects and opportunities for improvement with Maine DEP's Rob Wood, Stantec's Eben Baker, Preti Flaherty's Jeff Thaler, Representative Chris Kessler of South Portland, and moderated by the Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine's (E2Tech) Orion Breen.

This episode discusses how energy permitting reform can improve the state’s ability to build new infrastructure, meet climate goals, and manage rising energy costs. Permitting reform has become an increasingly important issue as building new renewable energy projects, while maintaining strong environmental protections, can improve energy affordability.

Thaler noted that Maine currently imports much of its energy and sends billions of dollars out of state each year to purchase energy. Expanding local energy production—particularly renewable sources such as wind and solar—could help stabilize energy prices and reduce the state’s vulnerability to global energy markets. However, building new energy infrastructure can be difficult because of complex layers of permitting requirements and unpredictable timelines. Developers often need greater certainty about when projects will be approved in order to secure financing and plan construction schedules.

Predictability is often as important as speed. According to Baker, developers want clear timelines and consistent rules so they can plan projects and manage costs. Some companies considering renewable energy projects in the region view Maine’s permitting process as slower or less predictable than those in neighboring states. Thaler pointed out that states such as New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire have implemented streamlined permitting systems in recent years, increasing competition for energy investment across New England.

State regulators are well aware of these concerns and are are working to improve permitting timelines. Wood explained that the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has seen a surge in permit applications in recent years, driven in part by renewable energy development and climate resilience projects following major storms in 2024. To address the backlog, the department has expanded staffing, introduced third-party reviewers to assist with permit evaluations, and begun exploring new permit-by-rule options for certain types of projects. These efforts are intended to allow simpler projects that meet clearly defined standards to move forward more quickly while still maintaining environmental oversight.

At the legislative level, Kessler said lawmakers are exploring ways to address permitting challenges through policy changes. His proposed legislation sought to establish clearer processing timelines and expand the use of permit-by-rule for renewable energy projects. At the same time, he acknowledged that reform efforts must navigate Maine’s strong tradition of municipal home rule. Local governments play a major role in land-use decisions, and projects approved at the state level can still be rejected by local planning boards or restricted by municipal ordinances.

The balance between statewide energy and climate goals and local control is one of the most difficult issues facing policymakers. While communities often want a voice in projects that affect their landscapes and infrastructure, local opposition can prevent projects that provide broader regional benefits. Improving communication among developers, regulators, and communities could help reduce conflicts and build greater understanding of the impacts and benefits of energy projects.

Despite the challenges, the panelists expressed optimism that progress is possible. They emphasized the importance of continued dialogue between policymakers, state agencies, industry, and local communities. Find out more about E2Tech's podcasts at www.e2tech.org/post/new-podcast

E2Tech's Orion Breen and Elisabeth Bialosky recap what they learned in E2Tech's first podcast interview with Matt Gamache of Competitive Energy Services, including a discussion of AI, energy affordability and policy stability to spur investment - topics that may be covered more in depth in future episodes. www.e2tech.org/post/new-podcast

E2Tech's Orion Breen interviews Matt Gamache of Competitive Energy Services about the current energy landscape one year into the second Trump administration. The discussion highlights growing complexity, affordability concerns, and reliability risks.

Gamache explains that while oil and natural gas prices are not dramatically different from a year ago, markets have been volatile. Domestic production remains near record highs, but prices — not politics — ultimately determine whether producers expand output. Meanwhile, rising LNG exports and winter weather have contributed to natural gas price pressure, which directly affects electricity prices in much of the country.

On the electricity side, the conversation centers on a new and significant challenge: rapid load growth driven primarily by data centers and artificial intelligence. Grid planners are warning that supply and transmission infrastructure are not keeping pace with projected demand. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation has flagged reliability risks in multiple regions, including New England and the Mid-Atlantic.

At the same time, renewable energy development — especially offshore wind — has faced delays, permitting obstacles, funding uncertainty, and legal challenges under the Trump administration. However, building new natural gas plants has also become more expensive, with longer equipment lead times and higher capital costs. Interconnection bottlenecks and transmission constraints are affecting all forms of generation.

New England faces particular affordability challenges due to limited natural gas pipeline capacity, which leads to high winter electricity prices and more reliance on oil-fired generation. Gamache emphasizes that rising electricity costs are driven by multiple factors — natural gas markets, infrastructure limitations, policy decisions, and demand growth — not any single cause.

A key theme of the discussion is stability. Energy projects require long-term investment horizons, but shifting federal and state policies create uncertainty that raises costs. There is agreement that permitting reform could benefit all energy types, but political distrust makes bipartisan progress difficult.

Data centers present both a risk and an opportunity. If their electricity demand is inflexible, they could strain the grid and raise costs. But if paired with storage, demand response, or peak-shaving strategies, they could help lower system costs and improve grid efficiency.

The interview concludes with a call for thoughtful planning, improved coordination, and collaborative dialogue among stakeholders. Gamache stresses that energy challenges are complex and interconnected, requiring balanced, data-driven approaches rather than partisan finger-pointing. You can read his blog covering these topics here: www.competitive-energy.com/blog/surveying-the-current-energy-landscape

More about E2Tech here: www.e2tech.org