Less is more

In his radio address last Saturday Governor Paul LePage lined up against unnamed "special interests" that were placing a "stranglehold" on the Maine people by shifting energy costs to the ratepayer.

He decried the high cost of electricity in Maine and said the state should pursue renewable resources like hydro power, cost-effective clean sources such as natural gas and foster partnerships with the state's Canadian neighbors to "break the stranglehold" these unnamed special interests have placed on the ratepayer.

We only wish the governor, who is not known for holding back in his remarks, would have named names so we could know who is clearly breaking the backs of the Maine people with exorbitant energy costs.

Strangely, for a man who is all about personal choice, Governor LePage did not mention how ordinary people could affect their own household energy use.

The governor didn't mention using energy more efficiently, or simply using less of it.

In fact, rather than encourage improving energy efficiency for homes and businesses, he lashed out at them as a tax.

"We must address the extra charges on electricity bills that subsidize services such as the winterization of homes and welfare programs. These extra charges are a tax on your bill," the governor declared.

The state of Maine probably does need a new energy policy. Using more renewable energy sources is certainly desirable and if a handful of special interests are strangling our state's economy and placing undue burden on average people, this should certainly be addressed.

At the same time, people need to be responsible for their own energy use and recognize that the personal choices they make directly influence their energy bill or the price at the gas pump.

Maybe, just for once, we could encourage using less energy, rather than trying to make it cheaper.