Vote to have consumer-owned power company

To the editor,

If the Pine Tree Power Consumer-Owned Utility becomes law this Nov. 7, beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, the Maine PUC may find a transmission and distribution utility with 50,000 or more customers unfit to serve and shall require the sale of the utility to be completed within 24 months if four or more of the following criteria are not met: 1) Customer satisfaction, 2) Reliability, 3) Affordability, 4) Treatment of its employees, 5) Security of the infrastructure, 6) Customer obligations, 7) Disaster assistance, and 8) Priorities.

CMP/Versant claims that their buyout estimate of $13.5 billion for their infrastructure has been independently verified, but they make no mention of how this happened. The reasonable value of CMP/Versant remains to be seen and might be considerably lower.

The leadership of the proposed consumer-owned utility will be composed of 13 members, seven of whom will be elected to represent five state districts as well as six designated expert members composed of a mix of civic-minded volunteers and elected officials with term limits.

In conclusion, with CMP/Versant’s profits of hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years amidst rising utility rates, an investor-owned utility with its corporate structure and fiduciary obligations is unable to place the needs of its customers ahead of its shareholders. The advantages of a consumer-owned utility, which answers to the consumers versus an investor-owned utility, which answers to its shareholders becomes clear.

The Pine Tree Power petition is available online at: https://ourpowermaine.org/citizen-initiative.

Anne Philbrick
Old Orchard Beach

Marty Grohman for mayor

To the editor,

I want to express my wholehearted endorsement for Marty Grohman for Mayor of our city of Biddeford. As a former School Committee member, and a lifelong resident, I have had the privilege of witnessing the dedication and commitment that Marty has demonstrated to our community.

Marty’s experience in public service, and his pragmatic approach to problem-solving make him an exceptional candidate for mayor. During his tenure as a state representative, he worked tirelessly for policies that would benefit our city and its residents. He understands the complexities of government and knows how to navigate the intricate web of regulations and budgets that affect our daily lives.

I admire how Marty can bring people together to find common ground and solutions to the challenges we face. Biddeford is a diverse community with wide ranging needs. Marty’s inclusive approach is exactly what we need to continue moving our city forward.

Furthermore, Marty Grohman is deeply committed to improving education in Biddeford. Marty has shown a commitment to make certain our schools provide the best possible education for our children, and I am confident that he will continue to do so

In conclusion, I urge all citizens to join me in supporting Marty Grohman for Mayor on Election Day, Nov. 7. Together, we can ensure that Biddeford continues to thrive as a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.

Daniel P Boucher
Former Biddeford City Councilor & School Committee Member