Maine Coalition Launches ‘Energy Choice’

A bipartisan coalition launched ‘Maine Energy Choice,’ a campaign advocating for Mainers’ right to choose their heating options for homes and businesses. State Senators Joe Baldacci (D) and Trey Stewart (R), alongside Maine Energy Marketers Association President Charlie Summers, announced the initiative at Dysart’s in Bangor. The coalition formed in response to potential state and federal legislation that could limit the use of heating oil, natural gas, and other energy sources.

Polling shows that 87% of Maine voters oppose legislation that restricts their heating choices, toe coalition said. Senator Stewart questioned if limiting energy options serves a broader agenda rather than the interests of Maine residents, while Senator Baldacci emphasized that Maine can support renewable energy incentives without mandating costly choices that may not be affordable for everyone, especially given current inflation concerns.

Mainers overwhelmingly want to choose their home and business energy source, the coalition said in a statement in October. According to a 2024 Digital Research Inc. poll, more than 8 out of 10 voters believe that state government should allow Mainers to choose how they heat their homes and businesses, the coalition said.

Maine Energy Marketers Association President and CEO Charles Summers said, “Energy choice is critical to ensuring that Mainers are able to afford to heat their homes and businesses. With rising costs in nearly everything we need to purchase to maintain a decent quality of life, Mainers should not be forced to buy one type of expensive heating source.”

Note: This news item reprints material written by Meghan Sylvester of the Maine Energy Marketers Association and posted on the MEMA website.

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