Pine Tree Power seems like a good idea. Instead of profits going to private companies, they will be put back into Maine’s General Fund. Right?

But how will Pine Tree Power be run? Will management people be elected or appointed by a politico? By those means could we get some clown who says windmills kill birds and whales? Or some fool who says renewable energy ruins the view? How about someone who figures the only way to save fish is by tearing down hydro-electric dams?

What about the new profit pool for the state? I’m sure politicians will jump right on voting to lower electricity costs. Maybe. Maybe this new money “needs” to be spent on new pet projects.

I worry mixing politics with electrical distribution will result in power failures. So I’ve decided to go with good old-fashioned honest greed. Private companies will still be held to pricing and environmental restrictions by government agencies. By voting “no” we know what we’re getting: companies whose goal is to keep electricity on in order to continue making money.

Keith Beal

Waterville