Our reliance on fossil fuels to meet the demands of Maine’s growing economy puts Maine’s natural resources at risk and puts Maine consumers in a vulnerable position. The energy sector has a huge amount of power and continues to put profits above the needs of the people and the planet.
For example, a company like Central Maine Power has no incentive to reach a zero-carbon economy. As Mainers, we have that incentive. Our livelihoods depend on our natural resources: seafood, agriculture and forestry. For our environment and our economy, we need to strive to be a carbon-neutral state.
Pine Tree Power is a great alternative to the investor-owned utilities companies that currently control our power. Pine Tree Power would be a nonprofit, consumer-owned utility. We, as consumers, would own the grid, giving power to the people.
By Pine Tree Power’s estimate, consumer-owned utilities charge customers 13% less than their investor-owned counterparts. On top of that, it notes, the first six places in the U.S. to reach 100% renewable electricity were served by consumer-owned utilities. Now more than ever, we need to tap into our democratic process to revolutionize the energy sector.
Ella Maddi
Portland
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