Brick firm to buy power as wholesaler

AUBURN – Morin Brick Co., one of Maine’s biggest energy users, is the first business in the state to take advantage of a federal law that allows nonutility-related firms to buy power as a wholesaler.

By buying electricity at a bulk rate from the New England Power Pool, Morin Brick stands to save money, although company officials weren’t sure how much because prices constantly fluctuate.

Company treasurer Norm Davis said Morin is one of the biggest energy consumers in Maine. Electricity is used to ignite furnaces to operate kilns around the clock at Morin’s, one of three brick-making companies in New England.

A federal law that took effect in March allows companies to buy power directly from the wholesale market. Previously, wholesale purchases were limited to utilities, power generators and transmission companies.