PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 13, 2023
The documented failures of the utilities are not enough by themselves to warrant a “yes” vote on Question 3. A “yes” vote demands more assurances that no unforeseen problems would take the place of the problems we want to be rid of. If not Pine Tree Power, then what? Gov. Mills and the Legislature must prove themselves capable of putting new pressure on CMP and Versant, with real penalties applying when they fall short as they have in the past. There’s not enough evidence that Pine Tree Power would be an improvement on what we have now. For that reason, we endorse a “no” on Question 3. It is the latest instance of a large private owner restricting access to land that has traditionally been open to public use for recreation.