E2Tech

Orion Breen

E2Tech acts as a catalyst to stimulate growth in the environmental, energy, and clean technology sectors. The Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine (E2Tech) serves as a clearinghouse for objective information, facilitates collaboration, and leads efforts to promote sustainable, resilient development.

Episodes

  1. MAR 17 ·  BONUS

    Jeff Marks of ClimateWork Maine

    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

    21 min

  2. MAR 12

    Energy Permitting in Maine

    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

    1h 8m
  3. E2Tech Podcast Episode 1 Recap

    MAR 2 ·  BONUS

    E2Tech Podcast Episode 1 Recap

    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

    6 min

  4. FEB 22

    Surveying the Current Energy Landscape with Matt Gamache

    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

    40 min
  • 4 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

E2Tech acts as a catalyst to stimulate growth in the environmental, energy, and clean technology sectors. The Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine (E2Tech) serves as a clearinghouse for objective information, facilitates collaboration, and leads efforts to promote sustainable, resilient development.

Information

  • Creator
    Orion Breen
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Orion Breen
  • Show Website
    E2Tech