Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
A bipartisan group of Maine legislators on Monday proposed that the state replace its two investor-owned electric utility companies with a nonprofit, consumer-owned one.
Lawmakers and advocates gathered at a press conference in Augusta to urge the creation of a new utility, dubbed Pine Tree Power Co., which they said would improve service, pricing and sustainability.
State Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, who chairs the House Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, said in a news release, “Today, the people of Maine rise to assert our power, and our independence. Our new bill, ‘An Act to Create the Pine Tree Power Company,’ will allow us to control our own money and our own energy destiny — to advance fast and fairly toward our own clean energy and connectivity future.”
Specifics of the legislation weren’t available. However, it would likely call on the Maine Public Utilities Commission to revoke the monopoly granted to Central Maine Power Co. and Versant Power, and require the sale of their assets to the new company.
Such proposals have previously been floated in Maine, but this one may gain support from recent dissatisfaction with the current utilities.
State Sen. Rick Bennett, R-Oxford, said in a news release Monday, “Right now, foreign governments and foreign corporations own Maine’s major utility monopolies. This ownership model has been a disaster, leaving Maine with the most outages, the longest outages, the worst customer service, and among the highest rates in the country. Working together, we can do better and establish Pine Tree Power.”
The proposal is backed by a group calling itself Our Power, a coalition of Maine ratepayers, business leaders, energy experts, conservationists and others, according to its website.
CMP issued a statement after the news conference, saying, “If this bill were to pass, and the state’s electric grid was seized, Mainers would be on the hook for billions of dollars — $13 billion for CMP alone, with no guarantee of improved reliability or service.
“Creating a government-controlled electric utility would represent the largest expansion of state government in Maine’s history, and adding politics to power delivery only adds problems for customers.”
Versant Power said, "Maine is working hard to make progress on renewable energy goals and mitigation of climate change, and Versant Power strives to be a trusted partner in those efforts. A government power takeover will threaten our state’s ability to do the work our citizens demand to keep pace with an evolving energy landscape."
Versant Power serves more than 159,000 customers in eastern and northern Maine, and is a subsidiary of Enmax Corp., owned by the city of Calgary, Canada. CMP serves more than 620,000 customers in central and southern parts of Maine, and is a subsidiary of Connecticut-based Avangrid Inc. (NYSE: AGR).
As a consumer, our electric rates have gone up considerably since CMP was taken over by a private entity. In addition, CMP did not invest in LOCAL Maine infrastructure to make sure the local solar farms could be connected to the grid. They did not honor the contracts set up with the local people for a certain amount of money, but want to charge them more. I think a government option would be better.
CMSL
Maine's Power Companies have been rated the absolute worst in America, as in, the whole country.
The reason this proposal is even happening is because of just how terribly run Versant and CMP are.
Don't let the liars fool you - because they are lying - https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/central-maine-power-again-ranks-worst-…
But just like that old girlfriend/boyfriend that keeps claiming they'll change and that no one will ever love you as much as they do - they're lying. It's time to stop believing the lies and grow up and move on.
The Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Learn MoreWork for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Learn MoreFew people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
Learn moreThe Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Work for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Few people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Our privacy policy
To ensure the best experience on our website, articles cannot be read without allowing cookies. Please allow cookies to continue reading. Our privacy policy
4 Comments