Jeff Hanley is a Republican running for reelection in District 87, which includes Alna, Pittston, Randolph and Wiscasset. He is retired and lives in Pittston with his wife of 47 years, Sally. They have four children and nine grandchildren. Hanley said that although retired, he spends time working on his woodlot, and hunting and fishing, as well as boating on the Kennebec River.

Hanley serves on the Joint Standing Committee for Energy, Utilities and Technology. Most recently, his committee dealt with several issues related to Central Maine Power. “CMP needs to step up to the plate and admit they have a crummy billing system,” he said. “But we’re on it, and so is the Public Utilities Commission and the Public Advocate, Barry Hobbins.”

Hanley said the cost of energy in Maine is a big issue, one that will face the EUT committee going forward. “One way we can help to solve the problem is by eliminating the 100 mW cap,” he said. The 100 mW cap was put in place to support smaller producers, especially renewables. Larger generators usually produce energy less expensively, Hadley said, although there are some small solar farms that have produced energy at 9 cents per kilowatt.

Right now, Maine isn’t connected to the Hydro-Quebec line, and due to the 100 mW cap, it can’t be. Hydro-Quebec is currently generating energy for less than four cents per kilowatt hour in US funds. The standard offer price in Maine is about 7.9 cents per kilowatt hour. Hanley supports the Kennebec transmission line, with the provision that the line runs under the gorge. “Existing transmission lines would generate income to the small towns they pass through,” Hanley said. “If the lines are in place, at some point in the future, we might be able to purchase energy from Hydro-Quebec.” He said the transmission line is good for Maine.

Other energy issues that might come before the committee include the offshore wind lease near Monhegan. “We need time to study to see if they’re going to be effective. It may or may not work out. The problem with solar is that we subsidize solar power, and that costs every taxpayer in Maine nine cents per kilowatt hour for every kilowatt that flows back to CMP. I wish we would get out of subsidizing, and let it work on its own."

Hanley said Medicaid expansion is law, but that the governor is right that a permanent funding source needs to be found. He said many of the problems with the Department of Health and Human Services were addressed at the end of the last session.

He said the opioid crisis means many families are never going to be repaired. The trouble with the opioid crisis is the Legislature can’t pass bills fast enough to react to it, Hanley said. “We need to arrest and punish the bums who are selling this death, treat people, and educate people. I don’t know how you can beat it into someone’s head that opioids are deadly. We can’t legislate people to be reasonable.” He said the law should include some sort of mechanism to force people who are brought to emergency rooms into treatment.

Hanley said he would be in favor of increasing revenue sharing if the benefit went to the taxpayers rather than the towns. He also said getting rid of the income tax would be a step toward bringing Maine in line with New Hampshire. “I don’t think we should be getting involved in trying to bring people from other states to work in Maine. Every job can get filled if you pay high enough wages."

On education, Hanley said he favors support for two-year degrees and trade schools. “Those provide wonderful livings. You don’t need a four-year degree. We need to tell students that before they sign on the dotted line, they should learn whether their degree will be paid for by their jobs. And we need to work with the business community to project the jobs we need and work with students to encourage them to enter those fields.”