BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 11, 2021
Supporters and opponents of establishing a consumer-owned utility in Maine both made changes to their ballot initiatives in the past week in attempts to render the other ineffective ahead of a possible referendum fight next year. The behind-the-scenes referendum war is the latest front in the fight over Maine’s energy future and could set up a confusing election if both make the ballot in 2022, though neither side has yet begun gathering signatures. It comes on the heels of a more than $60 million referendum aimed at stopping Central Maine Power’s attempt to build a transmission line in western Maine to bring hydropower from Canada that Mainers will vote on in November.