Gerry Runte News Today

Roughly a quarter of the caucus didn't cast veto override votes to save key bills on May 10. A handful of that group said they were at the State House but knew the votes would fall short.

The vote in the House was a major setback for Mills' signature cause to establish Maine as a national player in offshore wind, which is opposed by fishermen and their political allies.

Several Democrats joined solid Republican opposition to reject legislation that proposes a first step in judging utilities' performance when setting rates.

Several Democrats joined solid Republican opposition to reject legislation that proposes a first step in judging utilities' performance when setting rates.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission would use metrics gauging the service provided by Central Maine Power and Versant Power when considering a rate increase.

One lawmaker is proposing performance-based ratemaking as a possible way to address problems highlighted by the failed campaign to take over Maine's investor-owned utilities.

Maine voters had a chance Tuesday to fundamentally reshape their energy system by taking over their two for-profit electric utilities and creating a new community-owned energy company. But more than two-thirds of voters said no to that proposal in the off-year election.

Maine voters had a chance Tuesday to fundamentally reshape their energy system by taking over their two for-profit electric utilities and creating a new community-owned energy company. But more than two-thirds of voters said no to that proposal in the off-year election.

Many people, and not just climate advocates, have wished they could make their utility company disappear. On November 7, the people of Maine may actually do that.

Thoughtful regulatory reform and investment in grid modernization can give us the benefits promised by the proposed company – at a fraction of the cost.