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In 2023 we had a ballot initiative to replace Central Maine Power Co. and Versant Power with a cooperative option called Pine Tree Power Company. The company would have been legally mandated to acquire all investor-owned electric utilities in the state and act as the utility going forward.
CMP and their parent company didn’t like that. They spent millions of dollars to build fear, anxiety and doubt over a public takeover of their business. And that worked; the ballot initiative was defeated by nearly 70% to 30%.
The result? Three years on and electricity prices have risen significantly. It seems they’ve passed the cost of defeating the bill on to us.
Worse yet, I believe the quality of that power is as bad as it’s ever been. Brownouts happen with regularity in my area. Just a few weeks ago, I lost several devices to a power surge. And these were devices protected by surge protectors.
I think it’s time that we re-examine Pine Tree Power Company. We need safe, reliable, clean and affordable electricity for every Mainer.
It’s clear to me that CMP isn’t up to the task. The best time to make the change was yesterday. The next best time is now.
Gardiner Bryant
Unity