Maine’s Future: Energy Power or Vacation Spot?

The idea that Maine could become a cheap source of clean power for the rest of New England is not new. In the past, rail companies and later highways turned the state into a getaway for city folk. That model has worked well for tourism, but it left most of Maine’s natural beauty in private hands and gave only indirect economic help to the state. Now, as other New England states look for ways to cut carbon without building more nuclear plants, Maine’s wind and solar potential is being eyed as a solution. The numbers are huge: even if every suitable roof in the region were covered with solar panels, New England would still need thousands of wind turbines and large solar farms—most of which could be built in Maine because the land and wind are there. The question is what Maine will get from this. Will it keep control of its resources and let its people benefit, like Quebec or Norway do with their energy? Or will it repeat the vacation‑land pattern and let outside developers profit while Mainers get only small indirect gains?The state’s recent call for wind projects in Aroostook County shows a troubling approach. By requiring developers to offer identical prices and terms to all New England states, Maine is effectively forcing a “one‑price” policy that other sovereign regions would not accept. This limits Maine’s ability to negotiate better deals for its own citizens. Maine should instead focus on using its renewable resources first, to meet its own climate goals and keep costs low for residents. The state could set up a generation authority, offer community benefit payments, or create taxes on energy sales to ensure local benefits. If Maine can secure these policies, it could keep the money and power at home instead of handing them to neighboring states. The stakes are high: billions of dollars over the next decades could lower electric rates and help Maine reach its climate targets. Choosing the vacation‑land route would mean paying more later, while choosing a generation‑focused path could give Mainers lasting economic and environmental benefits.