Representative Brownie Carson has presented a bill, LD 640, that would require a study to prove that the CMP Corridor will result in a net reduction of greenhouse gasses. It seems pretty simple to me, since that is the overarching premise for the project. Ask yourself why CMP is afraid of a study to support their claims?
On Friday, I went to the statehouse to testify in support of this study. I was one of 30 or more who testified for the study, versus nine who testified against it. Please don’t quote me on the exact numbers, but it was something like that.
Anyway, I noticed that all the people who supported the study were rank and file Mainers like myself, who took time off from work and made the effort to show up and testify. The 9 who opposed it were lawyers and business people in tailored suits who were paid to be there. Paid to be there.
Anyway, one of those suits had the audacity to state that the other side (us) was being funded by industry. Those of us in the room looked around in disbelief. Thankfully, if I can read nonverbal communication correctly, the committee was not buying it.
So this is what it feels like to me at this point- “the people” versus big industry doing things the way they have always been done. CMP is so smug and condescending because they think this is a done deal. They have nothing to fear from “we the people.”
Let me remind folks that in the 70’s our national bird, the bald eagle was almost wiped out by DDT (agent orange). It was allowed by regulation and industry fought it tooth and nail. There have been other battles, the Big A dam of the 80’s comes to mind. Some of these battles takes years, because “we the people” are working our day jobs while big industry employs lawyers and deceivers to “guarantee” the results go in their favor. That’s why we need to be stalwart, tenacious, unyielding, genuine, kind, informational, persistent and in it for the long haul. Our grandchildren will thank us forever.
PS: it is more important than you can imagine to come to the Farmington Town Meeting on March 25 and vote your conscience. We owe the selectboard a vote of confidence for allowing this to come to the people in the form of a warrant.
Darryl Wood
New Sharon
I hate corporate arrogance..
Shoving things down our throats.
Shameful.
I am opposed to this scam.
Darryl, this is a first that I have heard of there will be an actual vote… the 25th?
Also, you are a New Sharon resident, do you get to vote? And me as a Chesterville resident?
Darryl, thanks for this letter. It’s also good to point out that the 9ish speakers who opposed the bill to have NECEC’s climate study were all from the CMP side. That means, they were all for-profit entities that will get something out of this project in big sums! Not one private citizen, no grassroots supporters of NECEC at the LD640 hearing! That is very telling! Remember all Farmington residents can vote on 3/25 on this issue to rescind town support. Go here for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1184891141685138/
Farmington residents can speak and vote. Non residents can speak if the majority deems it acceptable.