Gordon L. Weil

71 posts

Gordon L. Weil has been active in politics, journalism, publishing and energy consulting. A graduate of Bowdoin College, he has a master’s degree from the College of Europe (Belgium), and a Ph.D. from Columbia. He is an Army veteran.

He was a top aide to U.S. Sen. George McGovern during his run for president. In Maine, he served as Commissioner of Business Regulation, Director of the Office of Energy Resources and the state’s first Public Advocate. He was a Harpswell selectman. He led the negotiations that created the unified New England power grid and chaired the national organization of state energy agencies.

He reported for the Washington Post, Newsweek, London’s Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal and WNET (New York). His weekly commentary has appeared in Maine newspapers since 2008. He has written or edited 16 books or collections ranging from the biography of Sears, Roebuck to the three-volume U.S. Supreme Court original jurisdiction decisions. His company, sold in 2005, was the largest publisher of state government regulatory codes.

I voted stickers given out to voters on election day

Ignore the pundits and polls; go vote

Forget about the arguing, the polls, and the talking heads. It's now time to get out and perform our civic duties by voting.

ByGordon L. Weil

November 3, 2012

Loss of moderates like Snowe means DC stalemates more likely

Political moderates in the U.S. Senate is dwindling, and the departure of Senator Snowe, who is not seeking reelection, could further reduce their ranks.

ByGordon L. Weil

May 1, 2012

transmission utility lines seen against a yellow sky

Utility regulators used broad authority in approving wind deal

The three-member regulatory body decided that the economic development benefits of the project had so much potential that they could approve it while imposing enough conditions to protect utility customers.

ByGordon L. Weil

April 17, 2012

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center healthcare entrance

Government’s proper role at center of health debate

The Supreme Court hearings on the Affordable Care Act and Gov. Paul LePage’s proposals to narrow MaineCare eligibility and services are both part of a national debate over a much bigger issue – the appropriate role of government.

ByGordon L. Weil

April 3, 2012

Angus King speaks during a congressional event

Unexpected could still hurt King, but current factors favor an independent

Independent Angus King, running for the U.S. Senate, could benefit from the special circumstances that sometimes work for non-party candidates in Maine.

ByGordon L. Weil

March 20, 2012

Snowe’s claim that Congress is like a parliament has basis in recent history

While it may appear the parliamentary system has arrived in the United States, there is one major reason it can’t happen.

ByGordon L. Weil

March 6, 2012

A man walks in the snow while making an oil delivery

Energy independence for U.S., Maine comes at a price

Since the 1970s, the United States has worried about the security of its oil supply and its dependence on the politically volatile Middle East. That concern has filtered down to Maine, the state with the highest percentage of homes heated by oil.

ByGordon L. Weil

February 21, 2012