PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 31, 2023
I am compelled to respond to misinformation by Central Maine Power employees. Pine Tree Power garnered more than enough signatures on a citizens’ petition to be on our November ballot for good reason. Pine Tree Power is not “an exact replica of Long Island’s failed model” that will be “run by politicians.” It is a refinement of consumer-owned utilities functioning in Maine since 1888. Maine hosts 10 consumer owned-utilities, whose rates (49% lower as of December 2021) and reliability are better than CMP’s. Its proposed board will consists of seven elected voting members and six expert advisory members. Current workers will keep their jobs, seniority and pensions, with additional employees added as needed. Ratepayers own the consumer-owned utility, which will reinvest profits, rather than pay foreign investors. Join me in voting for local, reliable and lower-cost electricity for Maine, with the Pine Tree Power consumer-owned utility. ~ Katie Huntington, Newcastle