Supporters of a proposal to scrap Central Maine Power and Versant Power and replace them with a consumer-owned utility say they’re prepared to force a referendum if the bill is vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills
Versant Power
Legislature passes consumer-owned utility bill after Maine Senate reverses course
But supporters would have to pick up additional votes to override a likely veto from Gov. Janet Mills, who has expressed concerns about the buyout of CMP and Versant Power’s assets.
Maine Voices: I don’t like CMP. But I don’t support a publicly owned Maine utility.
More aggressive enforcement by the PUC is a better way to ensure the utility is prepared for the dramatic demands on the grid we’re going to face.
Maine Voices: Young Mainers will be inheriting the grid – we would like to own it
If we’re going to increasingly rely on electricity for our basic needs in the future, consumer ownership, not investor ownership, is the way to go.
Bill to form consumer-owned utility rejected by one vote in Maine Senate
The measure, which called for consumer purchase of Central Maine Power and Versant Power, cleared the Senate in a preliminary vote but was turned away on final enactment, dimming the bill’s chances of passage this session.
Former PUC commissioners: Don’t put politicians in charge of our electric grid
Maine will not be able to keep up its climate response in the midst of a costly takeover battle.
Jim Fossel: Much could go wrong with government ownership of CMP, Versant
Maine would be better off using its regulatory powers to direct and hold accountable its investor-owned electric companies.
Gov. Mills has reservations about buyout of utilities
The governor’s concerns include the makeup and required expertise of the proposed public utility’s governing board.
Bill to replace CMP and Versant with consumer-owned utility gains committee approval
The Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee’s 9-2 vote, with 2 lawmakers absent, advances the bill for consideration by the full Legislature and, ultimately, Maine voters.
Dozens testify on both sides of bill to create consumer-owned utility in Maine
Under the controversial proposal, regulators would direct a buyout of Central Maine Power and Versant Power’s infrastructure to create a nonprofit utility serving roughly 800,000 customers.