BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 4, 2021
The Maine Legislature’s Energy, Utility and Technology Committee voted to bring to the full Legislature a proposed state law to acquire Maine’s two electric utilities with a newly created Pine Tree Power utility. Once Mainers dig down into the details, the proposal will likely get a cool reception from the public. Maine would be wise to study the takeover of the electric system by the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) in New York before moving forward with this venture. The tradeoff between rates, reliability and renewables is the challenge for today’s utilities. A takeover attempt saddles Maine with a risky undertaking just when it has to address these important tradeoffs. ~ Joseph W. McDonnell, Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine; former senior vice president of Long Island Lighting Company