We have an extraordinary abundance of clean, renewable energy resources in Maine: our forests and croplands, our onshore and offshore wind, our tides and our ample sun. We need to be sure that some of these renewable resources are used to generate electricity for use right here in Maine, to lower electricity costs for Maine businesses and homeowners and to generate jobs and incomes for Maine.

Maine Energy Resources, a publicly-owned business chartered to operate as a public power authority, will use low-cost, tax-exempt capital to generate electricity throughout Maine from our renewable resources and will accelerate the development of clean and low-cost electricity in Maine. Maine Energy Resources will invest in energy efficiency in Maine and will enter into public-private partnerships with energy entrepreneurs. Maine Energy Resources will not export electricity out of state, because an important part of its mission will be to put the electricity to work in Maine.

Lowering the cost of electricity is one of the most important tools we can use to keep jobs in Maine, to expand businesses in Maine and to attract new investment.