Study bill may lay groundwork for making consumer-owned power a reality in Maine
In a move that could pave the way to making consumer-owned energy a reality in Maine, Gov. Janet Mills signed into law last week a bill that requires the Maine Public Utilities Commission to study whether or not replacing Central Maine Power and Emera with a consumer-owned utility is feasible for the state.
“Together, the Legislature and Governor have shown that we are serious about this proposal,” said state Rep. Seth Berry (D-Bowdoinham), who authored the emergency bill after it was determined that legislation calling for the buyout will be taken up next session. “I believe this independent, third-party analysis will reveal the significant advantages of consumer-owned power and speed us on the path to greater local control.”
Central Maine Power is currently under fire for erroneous billing practices, often dramatically overcharging low-income Mainers already disproportionately burdened by high energy bills. At the same time, consumer-owned utilities have been found to reduce energy costs. The American Public Power Association estimates that the average savings for customers of public utilities compared to privately owned utilities are 15 percent.
The commission will study the idea as outlined in a bill, proposed by Berry calling for replacing CMP and Emera with a consumer-owned model called the Maine Power Delivery Authority, which faced significant opposition from CMP and other industry lobbyists.
Read more: https://mainebeacon.com/study-bill-may-lay-groundwork-for-making-consumer-owned-power-a-reality-in-maine/