UPDATED LOCATION: Town's Climate Task Force Endorses Question 3
Two different sessions tomorrow to find out more about the Pine Tree Power initiative
BAR HARBOR—As the November 7 election nears, the discussion around question three, the Pine Tree Power Initiative, increases.
The Bar Harbor Climate Emergency Task Force, a task force that is part of the town government, issued a press release October 23 in support of a yes vote on the ballot measure. The release reads,
“The Bar Harbor Climate Emergency Task Force (CETF) has endorsed a “Yes” vote on the Question 3 ballot item. Question 3 proposes to replace investor-owned utilities in Maine with Pine Tree Power (PTP), a nonprofit, consumer-owned utility. Although much has been said about benefits of local control and rates expected from this change, the primary reason driving the CETF endorsement is the judgement that a consumer-owned utility will better advance the climate goals of Bar Harbor. Bar Harbor needs the low-emission, renewable energy to which the State of Maine is committed. Bar Harbor formed the CETF to identify strategies for reducing emissions, developing renewable energy, and providing a safe and sustainable climate future for Bar Harbor and its citizens. The CETF notes that of the US towns already with 100% renewables (e.g., Burlington VT), all have consumer-or community-owned utilities that are more responsive to community-level needs. The CETF supports the goal that utility providers should have their sights on the future and focus on low-emission and renewable energy sources. By re-investing income into the utility, rather than being obligated to shareholders, consumer-owned utilities have more freedom to keep an eye on the future, especially on clean energy and sustainability infrastructure, building the resources that will be required for future sustainability.
“In Bar Harbor, the climate goals set by the CETF and the Town of Bar Harbor include solar power. This is not currently being enabled by Versant Power, our local investor-owned utility. To the contrary, there have been repeated delays with solar power interconnections, most notably with the one proposed at the municipal Higgins Pit solar array project. Versant did not begin the impact study for Higgins Pit until weeks after it was legally required to have the impact findings submitted to the Town, a delay that has already added months to the project timeline. Bar Harbor is not the only entity on MDI frustrated by poor performance of Versant on energy and emission-reducing projects.
“To meet Bar Harbor’s energy goals, CETF sees a need for a utility provider with accountability, transparency, local trust, and “feet on the ground” commitment to renewable, clean energy. The CETF supports the business model of consumer- or community-owned utilities, such as Pine Tree Power, as compatible with the proliferation of community-level renewable energy at the speed and scale that is projected in the Bar Harbor Climate Action Plan. Accordingly, the CETF endorses a Yes vote on Question 3 as a vote for the future of the climate goals of Bar Harbor.”
Earlier this fall, the Town Council took up a possible endorsement of the measure. That discussion was sponsored by Councilor Maya Caines. Ezra Sassaman, a member of CETF spoke to a yes vote. That discussion was continued to a second meeting, but then taken off the agenda when Caines could not attend.
Town Council Vice Chair Gary Friedmann is listed as a top donor to the Our Power PAC that supports the initiative. Other top donors include the 128 Collective, Susan Bartovics, Preston-Werner Initiatives, Inc, and the Green Advocacy Project. Through September, Our Power has raised $1.07 million.
The Maine Affordable Energy committee and Maine Energy Progress are against the initiative and have raised $35.3 million.
WEDNESDAY EVENTS
There are two upcoming events that focus on the ballot initiative, which, if passed, would create a quasi-municipal electric utility. The idea was first introduced by Seth Berry in the Maine House of Representatives in 2021. It was approved by the house and rejected by the Senate. An amended version then passed the Senate, but was rejected by Governor Janet Mills. A citizen initiative then circulated. The state legislature referred it to voters.
On Wednesday morning, the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a one-hour event where opponents and proponents will each speak. The moderated event was originally set to begin at 9:30 a.m. at Machias Savings Bank. It is now online instead. To register, click here.
The College of the Atlantic is holding an information session also on Wednesday. The info session is with the Pine Tree Power Campaign, A Climate To Thrive, Maine Youth for Climate Justice, and the Sierra Club. It begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be in CHE 202.
LINK TO LEARN MORE
Ballotpedia piece on question 3
Note: I am moderating the Chamber discussion.
State of Maine Referendum Election for Bar Harbor (via the town’s office)
November 7, 2023
Polling Place: Municipal Building Auditorium, 93 Cottage St, 3rd floor
Polling Hours: 8 am to 8 pm
Absentee ballot applications available beginning August 7, 2023. Ways to request an absentee ballot:
Online using the State of Maine Absentee Ballot Request Service.
By mail (voter may request for self only): Download the application and mail to Town Clerk's Office, 93 Cottage St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609.
By phone (voter may request for self only). Call the Town Clerk's office at 207-288-4098.
In person in the Town Clerk's office (voter may request for self and/or immediate family members).
YOU CAN TRACK YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT HERE!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
Last day to request an absentee ballot or to vote by absentee ballot in the presence of the clerk is Thursday, November 2.
Voter registration must be in person (as opposed to by mail) beginning Wednesday, October 18.
All absentee ballots must be received by close of polls, 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 7.
Election Materials:
This story was updated on Tuesday afternoon (October 24) to reflect the change in venue location.