PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 22, 2023
Public power advocates cannot win over political leaders and editorial writers who seem to prefer the impossible – a fully developed proposal that answers all possible objections, including the real cost of the change. Without leadership in understanding the issues, voters left in doubt vote “no.” These factors discourage public power. But the vote could serve as the start of a longer-term effort. There is a way to try again while overcoming problems Pine Tree Power could not surmount. Take it in steps. Issues could be studied and decided locally in concrete terms. Changing just a few words in Maine law, leaving approval to the PUC but without a utility veto, would make it possible for Maine municipalities to make their own choices. Small local utilities work and have lower rates. The other way to keep public power moving forward is to form a non-governmental action group. ~ Gordon L. Weil