Bill would create consumer-owned Maine power utility

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - A lawmaker is proposing to launch a consumer-owned Maine power utility.

Democratic Rep. Seth Berry said in a Monday press conference that consumers would own the Maine Power Delivery Authority, which would operate outside of state government.

Berry says the authority would then purchase Maine’s two utilities and then reduce rates through refinancing.

The idea is getting support from some lawmakers and unions, which argue that the current structure hurts Maine customers and utility workers.

Few details of the bills have been released.

Central Maine Power spokeswoman Catherine Hartnett tells the Portland Press Herald that the company has “strong concerns about the state seizing private property.”