PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 17, 2023
The Conservation Law Foundation weighed in Tuesday against a ballot measure to replace Central Maine Power and Versant with a publicly owned utility, saying it’s “not the answer” to Maine’s power company failings. In a posting on CLF’s website, senior attorney Phelps Turner said the two investor-owned utilities “have performance, reliability and customer service problems” that customers are, “understandably, fed up with. However, voting yes on the referendum to create Pine Tree Power is not the answer.” Several other environmental groups support the controversial initiative, including the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Council of Maine, Maine Youth for Climate Justice, and Maine Climate Action Now.