BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 31, 2023
One of the ongoing fights in Maine is over the wording of the ballot question proposing to create the “Pine Tree Power Company.” Secretary of State Shenna Bellows — former Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and elected by Democrats to her present post — wrote a question daring to describe the initiative as establishing a “quasi-governmental” company. Supporters sued her. They worried the term “quasi-governmental” would confuse Maine voters. The “Pine Tree Power Company” would absolutely be a “quasi-governmental” agency. Its proponents call it “consumer-owned,” but that is utility jargon at best. ~ Michael Cianchette