Portland, ME- A diverse coalition of Maine organizations gathered today to announce that they have begun the Maine Energy Choice Campaign.  According to a 2024 Digital Research Inc. poll, more than 8 out of 10 voters believe that state government should allow Mainers to choose how they heat their homes and businesses.  The coalition has reached out to all candidates running for the Maine State Legislature and United States Congress and have urged them to respect the wish of Maine residents to choose how they heat their homes and businesses.  They have forwarded a pledge for candidates to sign clearly stating they will support energy choice for all Mainers.

Maine Energy Marketers Association President and CEO Charles Summers stated very clearly, “Energy choice is critical to ensuring that Mainers are able to afford to heat their homes and businesses.  With rising costs in nearly everything we need to purchase to maintain a decent quality of life, Mainers should not be forced to buy one type of expensive heating source.  We ask all candidates for the Maine Legislature and United States Congress to state very clearly that they will protect energy choice and the wishes of 84% of Maine residents.”

Curtis Picard, President and CEO of the Retail Association of Maine remarked, “Cities and towns in other states have attempted to restrict the way their residents heat and energize their homes and businesses.  Not only are these types of restrictions fundamentally unfair, but they also have the potential to negatively disrupt the energy market for the entire state.  Maine needs to continue to adopt an “all of the above approach” as it relates to energy policy to make sure business heating is affordable for the future.”

Matthew Gagnon of Maine Policy Institute said, “People not politicians should have the right to decide how homes and businesses will be heated.  Respect and reason should carry the day and not special interest supporters.  We can combat climate change, protect jobs and make home and business heating affordable if we have everyone at the table.”

The Maine Energy Choice Coalition will continue to engage with candidates right up to the November 5^th election.  They will also continue a public education campaign throughout the entire year.

Watch Press Conference Here >.