I live in Maine, and I will be voting in November. My husband and I just discussed this issue this morning and concluded we really didn’t know enough to solidly state our opinions, but this is helpful.
Thanks, Kathryn. Glad you're thinking this issue through. It is complex, and certainly the transition to Pine Tree Power would have its bumps. But I think Maine is in a good position to prove that a statewide, nonprofit, locally-controlled utility is a good, viable option. I really wanted to stress that public utilities of all sizes are common around the U.S. I wish that message was out there for the voters. And don't forget that Question 1 is tied to all this, a hurdle for Pine Tree Power should it pass. Anyway, thanks very much for chiming in here. I hope everyone in Maine is discussing the issues like you are.
CMP is the worst power company in the country. I just moved out of Maine and my final bill for a month maybe a little longer was $140 for 600 sf apartment with paid heat. When I questioned it they were nasty and sent it to a collection agency. They are getting it in minute increments. Vote Pine Tree Power! All utilities should be public. Deregulation has ruined everything it touched.
You bet. I’m still paying it off. The rate hike hit Maine’s seniors hard. They held meetings but offered no solution. I’ll never go home again unless it’s in an ern.
Great article, among other things explaining the differences in ownership, management and regulation.
In NC,.both investor-owned and community-owned elec utilities exist side by side with exclusive territories for residential business. The two compete for commercial business.
There's not much difference in rates and customer service. Both do a good job. Investor-owned is more invested in renewables mainly because of state mandates.
Cooperatives are community owned, unregulated, and are distributors only. They buy power at wholesale rates from investor-owned utilities.
The presence of cooperatives has historical origin, when the power generating utilities were reluctant to expand into rural areas where incomes were lower. Coops fulfilled this role, and now the 2 forms side by side.
Thank you, Spalding. Really good input. The utility landscape is complex, and I barely dented that complexity. I did notice in my research the huge amount of co-ops around the country, and their link to rural areas. Your explanation fills in the rest. And I was a bit heavy-handed on the difference between for-profit and nonprofit, knowing that in many places the difference might not be as great, depending on how well-regulated (or well-behaved) they were.
I live in Maine, and I will be voting in November. My husband and I just discussed this issue this morning and concluded we really didn’t know enough to solidly state our opinions, but this is helpful.
In summary, for profit out of staters!
Yes indeed. More like out of the country owners of CMP, the most non local utility in the country. Vote Pine Tree Power!
Thanks, Kathryn. Glad you're thinking this issue through. It is complex, and certainly the transition to Pine Tree Power would have its bumps. But I think Maine is in a good position to prove that a statewide, nonprofit, locally-controlled utility is a good, viable option. I really wanted to stress that public utilities of all sizes are common around the U.S. I wish that message was out there for the voters. And don't forget that Question 1 is tied to all this, a hurdle for Pine Tree Power should it pass. Anyway, thanks very much for chiming in here. I hope everyone in Maine is discussing the issues like you are.
CMP is the worst power company in the country. I just moved out of Maine and my final bill for a month maybe a little longer was $140 for 600 sf apartment with paid heat. When I questioned it they were nasty and sent it to a collection agency. They are getting it in minute increments. Vote Pine Tree Power! All utilities should be public. Deregulation has ruined everything it touched.
Yikes, Mark. That bill sounds ridiculous. Thanks very much for chiming in here.
You bet. I’m still paying it off. The rate hike hit Maine’s seniors hard. They held meetings but offered no solution. I’ll never go home again unless it’s in an ern.
Great article, among other things explaining the differences in ownership, management and regulation.
In NC,.both investor-owned and community-owned elec utilities exist side by side with exclusive territories for residential business. The two compete for commercial business.
There's not much difference in rates and customer service. Both do a good job. Investor-owned is more invested in renewables mainly because of state mandates.
Cooperatives are community owned, unregulated, and are distributors only. They buy power at wholesale rates from investor-owned utilities.
The presence of cooperatives has historical origin, when the power generating utilities were reluctant to expand into rural areas where incomes were lower. Coops fulfilled this role, and now the 2 forms side by side.
Thank you, Spalding. Really good input. The utility landscape is complex, and I barely dented that complexity. I did notice in my research the huge amount of co-ops around the country, and their link to rural areas. Your explanation fills in the rest. And I was a bit heavy-handed on the difference between for-profit and nonprofit, knowing that in many places the difference might not be as great, depending on how well-regulated (or well-behaved) they were.