What is the bill

This resolve directs the Public Utilities Commission to evaluate the proposal for creating a consumer owned public utility and present findings to the legislature by next year.

Why it matters

Public utilities should be exactly that: public. Privately owned corporate entities are accountable to shareholders - not their customers, especially when those utilities hold a monopoly on a public good like energy. The recent examples of abuse by Central Maine Power underscore the need for a publicly-owned utility accountable to Mainers.

What happened

The bill passed both chambers and was signed into law by the Governor.