Issues
Issues
Greens take position on bills affecting ranked choice voting
For at least ten years, The Maine Green Independent Party has been at the forefront on behalf of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) and so it is a no-brainer for us to support two bills in the current legislature that would Amend the Maine Constitution to remove any Constitutional concern over its Constitutional use. These are LD numbers 1365 and 1196 which would permit RCV for races for governor and legislature respectively by changing a single word, from "plurality" to "majority." For the same reason, we go on record opposing LD 1213 which would repeal use of RCV. We encourage our supporters to be vocal in this regard. Jon Olsen co-chair MGIP
Jonathan Carter appeal to action
Jonathan Carter, a Green who ran for U.S. Congress in 1992 and governor in 1994 and 2002, has an important message for you.
Hello Friends,
You probably have heard the great news that the town of Farmington voted overwhelmingly to oppose the CMP Corridor. This brings to ten the number of towns that have voted to oppose or have withdrawn support - Alna, Caratunk, Dennistown, Embden, Farmington, Jackman, The Forks, West Forks, Wilton, and Wiscasset. In addition, the Franklin County Commissioners voted to withdraw support and instead openly oppose.
While we have had a string of successes, we have a long way to go before CMP will abandon its efforts.
During the first week of April, the DEP/LUPC will hold two public hearings.
Below is a schedule for these public hearings.
* The First will take place on* Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Lincoln Auditorium at the University of Maine Farmington. This hearing will deal with the impacts of the corridor on the scenic quality and current use.
*The Second will take place on *Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. also in the Lincoln Auditorium, University of Maine Farmington, 111 South Street, Farmington, ME. This hearing will deal with the impact of the corridor on the environment.
*IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU ATTEND ONE OR BOTH OF THESE HEARINGS*. We need to raise our collective voices against this boondoggle of a project. The Maine
Woods needs to have you speak out!
I have attached a fact sheet which may help you formulated your response.
If you can not make it to the hearings, please take the time to send an e-mail of opposition to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thank you for caring.
Mahalo, Jonathan Carter
PS First and foremost, please take the time to tell state officials *NO to the CMP Corridor.
MGIP supports LD 1324
Maine Green Independent Party supports LD 1324
An Act To Establish the Committee To Study the Feasibility of Creating Basic Income Security
We the people of the Maine Green Independent Party (MGIP) stand in strong support of LD1324, An Act To Establish the Committee To Study the Feasibility of Creating Basic Income Security. Not only do we support this crucial study, we call for the swift passage of any legislation that will ease the financial burden on all Mainers, especially for those currently below the poverty line or are one paycheck from an economic crisis.
This would include support for legislation that would establish a universal basic income for all Mainers, create progressive tax laws, establish a state-owned public bank, provide incentives for businesses using a worker-owned cooperative model, provides free in-state college (as well as in-state college loan forgiveness), and pursue progressive healthcare initiatives (such as single payer healthcare, in-home hHealthcare, and mandatory paid sick leave).
Now is the time to stand beside the people of Maine, to provide the basic economic stability to give everyone the opportunity to have a decent living. The MGIP is committed to prioritizing the people of Maine and we challenge this legislature to take up that call as well.
Written testimony may be sent to the Labor and Housing Committee at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Sending testimony by April 3 is best.
A public hearing will be held Wednesday, April 3, starting at approximately 10:30 AM in Room 202 of the Cross Office Building in Augusta.
MGIP Supports LD 955
LD 955 "An Act To Prohibit Offshore Oil and Natural Gas Drilling and Exploration" already had its public hearing, but you can still submit testimony to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Testimony should begin with "Sen. Carson, Rep.Tucker, and distinguished members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. My name is (your name), and I’m writing in support of LD 955" ...and then express why you support this bill. #ProtectOurCoast #StopOffshoreDrilling
Green Independent Party opposes CMP NECEC corridor proposal
Green Independent Party opposes CMP NECEC corridor proposal
The Maine Green Independent Party opposes CMP’s New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) corridor. Besides the environmental impact of clearing a New Jersey Turnpike wide swath through Maine’s North Woods, the so-called clean energy passing through Maine from Quebec to Massachusetts has questionable environmental benefits for Maine and the planet.
The 145 miles of high transmission lines, with 53 miles of new corridor through the North Woods threatens wildlife and habitat with construction of above-ground transmission lines crossing the Appalachian Trail, wetlands, vernal pools, trout streams and pristine areas. Many towns directly connected to the proposed corridor oppose the project.
Co-Chair of the Maine Green Independent Party, Niomi Larivee describes the feelings of many of Maine's citizens. "I find it extremely disturbing that CMP is not listening to the will of Maine's people, towns and businesses. CMP is trying to buy us out. We are on the losing end. Property rights would be lost via eminent domain. Just think of how this will impact our tourist trade. Destroying valuable trusts, sanctuaries, parks and our personally owned land, the CMP corridor is a project the Maine Green Independenty Party stands against," states Larivee.
Kim Pfusch, an eco-activist and 2018 candidate for Maine House Rep for District 61 (representing Lewiston), identifies the lack of leadership in August on this issue. As Pfusch says "Maine residents are asking for representation on the grounds that we want our power to be owned by local citizens. The Maine Green Independent Party stands against the corridor and will represent the concerns and questions rightfully asked by our constituents".
The power to be produced in Quebec for Massachusetts consumers has questions as to its sustainable source. The claims of ‘clean energy’ are not substantiated to the Maine PUC which has not been fully informed of the source of power transmitted through the corridor. There is likely to be no new power generation.
The power currently produced by Hydro Quebec that supplies Ontario and New York may be rerouted from these existing customers to go to Massachusetts who will pay a higher price. The supplanted power may then be generated by fossil fuels (coal and natural gas). Hydro electric power has questionable sustainable benefits. This dumping of hydro power will crowd out new, renewable solar and wind (on and off shore) power and block access from these green sources to markets.
The NECEC Corridor was not the first choice of Avangrid, the parent company of CMP, to transmit power from Quebec to Massachusetts. The New Hampshire Northern Pass route was rejected by their state evaluation committee. Vermont also declined to accept the offer to transmit power through their state. Do our neighbors know something Maine should be aware of? This project will put billions in profit into the coffers of Hydro Quebec and Avangrid. Maine has been offered a pittance to be bought off by these corporate entities.
Another factor to consider is where emphasis will go during the regular power outages in Maine. The agreement requires Avangrid to ensure that CMP customers receive adequate power restoration. CMP has the least reliable service as of 2017, as well as some of the highest rates in the country. Billing irregularities have yet to be resolved. Can we believe that CMP (Avangrid) has Mainers' best interests in their plans?