GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT

Is Government involvement a good or bad thing? You would have to know the pros and cons and when the whole story gets told by someone truthful it still may only be an opinion. To fully make a proper judgment one must have the time to check the facts and also research on their own to come to a conclusion that is full of facts not misleading sound bites. If when government is involved and there are no other options is there no other choice? Take nuclear power plants for one subject. When no others will build them is it up to government to find a way to do it? Take wind power for another subject, when no others will build them it’s up to the government to find a way to do it. When the insurance industry cannot insure flood prone areas it’s the government that puts it on the line and takes over for them. If government see’s a way to get involved they will, the bigger the better. I can only say watch out if you think it’s all good, you’re wrong.

The facts are if it was so good to get involved in a government would not have to. If private industry could do it they would and make money at it. Why would we think a monopoly would have to need state help and involvement unless it’s for protection and monetary Involvement one way or another? Is the state taking advantage of the position of supplying power that isn’t possible any other way as it gets regulated by them? Would we get a better deal from private supply and have no end user cost or decommissioning costs involvement. Why don’t the private suppliers get a fair shake on the tax issues and if the towns aren’t entitled to a pilot payment, why do we pay a high rate for the power anyway? The common thing that sticks out when I check into the municipal light departments is Government and their involvement of the production of the power.

Local or state and even federal is as big as ever and growing at a quick pace. The thought that we are driven by an electrical production grid that is regulated by the state and owned by the state in many ways is proof that we are being taken advantage of monetarily. When does the state say your rates are too high and reduces them? Take national grids bills and you will see their rates have been reduced for their customers and is a result of the regulations they must comply with from the state. If you look at the content of chapter 164 mgl the fact is it is written to protect the municipal light departments from all who question its policy and seek transparency to show who does what and when. It is a tool for them to use for a barrier for activities we would not think are a good thing to be doing. A free hand at what it is they want to do, deal or expand without the town being involved .As the law is challenged it produces another thing called case law and is the base for the future cases and decisions.When the municipals get the power cheaper do you see it? Or do they look for a reason to spend it on something else and use it up as quick as needed. I think the latter would prove to be the answer! I think at issue here are 3 things MONEY,MONEY,MONEY! I think you will all agree!

Dave Smart