Proponents and opponents of Questions 1 and 3 on the November ballot will present their cases in a panel discussion on September 28 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the Lithgow Public Library in Augusta. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters – Capital Area, and the Lithgow Public Library. The event will be available for remote participation on Zoom and will also live stream on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LWVME. 

Discussion of QUESTION 3 will be the featured event. QUESTION 3 is An Act to Create the Pine Tree Power Company, a Nonprofit, Customer-owned Utility. The question will read: Do you want to create a new power company governed by an elected board to acquire and operate existing for-profit electricity transmission and distribution facilities in Maine? The argument for Question 3 will be presented by representatives from Pine Tree Power. The argument against Question 3 will be presented by Charlotte Warren from Maine Affordable Energy. Also participating in the forum will be Maine’s Public Advocate, William Harwood, and Barbara Alexander, former director of the Consumer Assistance Division of the Maine Public Utilities Commission. Since 1996, she has worked as a consultant and expert witness on utility issues for state and national consumer organizations. Her opinions do not reflect the views or opinions of any client.

A brief discussion of QUESTION 1 will follow. QUESTION 1 is An Act to Require Voter Approval of Certain Borrowing by Government-controlled Entities and Utilities and to Provide Voters More Information Regarding That Borrowing. The question will read: Do you want to bar some quasi-governmental entities and all consumer-owned electric utilities from taking on more than $1 billion in debt unless they get statewide voter approval?

Please join us to learn more about these important issues. There will be an opportunity for the audience to submit their own questions to be presented by the moderator.  

Remote access will be available. To participate on Zoom, please register below. Questions may be submitted in advance by email to capitalarea@lwvme.org.

The Lithgow Public Library is located at 45 Winthrop St. in Augusta. 

The forum will be moderated by Judy Whiting of the League of Women Voters, Capital Area.