I'd also like to learn more about the specifics of this process. When Pine Tree buys these assets from CMP... who sets the price of these assets? Also, aren't interest rates on debt at extremely high levels right now? Does that affect the numbers?

I think Game Citadel is where you should look

Go to Rockwood and ride the little pontoon ferry over. Pretty sure you can go up further north and get there but it isn’t like a paved or even established road

Edited to add, be careful. Moosehead is no joke. Waves and weather come out of nowhere. Just because you get there in a canoe in calm water doesn’t mean you’ll get back.

I think it’s illegal federally

> The Pine Tree Power Company is not permitted to use general obligation bonds or tax dollars of the State. The company finances itself by issuing debt against its future revenues to purchase the facilities of investor-owned electric transmission and distribution utilities in the State.

This is a direct quote from the initiative petition. Basically a mortgage secured by the revenue generated by the non-profit.

Good question; looking online it appears it would be funded by a government loan paid for with future revenue. Basically, instead of future profit going back to shareholders in other countries the money stays and pays off the debt for the acquisition:

​

From here: Maine Creation of Pine Tree Power Company Initiative (2023) - Ballotpedia

State funds or tax dollars: Requires no use of state funds or tax dollars

The company would not be permitted to use general obligation bonds or state tax dollars, and would be financed by issuing debt against its future revenues to purchase facilities of electric transmission and distribution utilities that are owned by investors in the state.[1]

From here: FAQ - Our Power (ourpowermaine.org)

Will creating Pine Tree Power impact our state budget?

No. Pine Tree Power will not use our tax dollars. Utilities use revenue from rates, not taxes, to pay for investments and operations. If anything, by reducing our electric rates over time, it will help to attract and retain business investment in Maine, boosting incomes and easing tax burdens.

What would Pine Tree Power cost ratepayers?

Not more in the short term, and far less than we’ll otherwise pay in the long term. When Pine Tree Power purchases the systems of CMP/Avangrid/Iberdrola (owned by Spanish banks and the governments of Norway and Qatar) and Versant/ENMAX (owned by the government of the City of Calgary, Canada) like a home mortgage, the cost will be amortized. Pine Tree Power will qualify to borrow funds at lower interest rates than investor-owned utilities, which will reduce the cost of future capital expenditures, saving $9 billion over 30 years. It will also save us all money by not shipping profits to investors and owners out of the State and out of the country.

This a good question! commenting to see answers later

Yeah it can be done, since there are camps on that side of the lake. You’d have to park somewhere on the road on the east side of the lake northeast of Kineo and then walk in from there. The land bridge is no cars and private property.

It is going to be way easier to just drive to Rockwood and take the golf course shuttle over

You're right. Looked it over, and I don't pay way more than 2k. But it's basically a wash. Yeah, I used the 2k number based on towns in each state that I know roughly what the rates are, though you're right that some maine towns absolutely have higher rates than some NH towns

Nope, “ya can’t get there from here.” There is a land bridge that connects the two but it’s private property and not open to the public. The only way over is by seasonal ferry from Rockwood or cross the ice when safe.

If you do put your boat in at Lily Bay or Greenville be aware that Moosehead Lake is very big.

I'm trying to think and all I can come up with is putting in your boat at Lily Bay on a day pass or maybe Greenville itself?

While you're at Kokadjo, be sure to head up to Lazy Tom Bog to look for moose 🫎!

If you are paying 'way more' than $2K in Maine income taxes then you are making WAY MORE than most Mainer's ever will.... which is probably why you are being downvoted. Totally not fair.. but some people do start getting twitchy when 'rich' people bitch about paying income taxes.

But you aren't wrong. The reality is that the mill rate in NH is all over the place.. the same as the mill rates in Maine. In some towns it's $5 in others it's $30.

Everyone says 'oh NH property taxes are so much higher'... and back in the day.. they used to be. MUCH higher. But these days.. not so much.

Llbean offers introductory course to sea kayaking, paddle boarding and other activities in the summer months, may be worth looking into. They are not cheap, but let you try out something you might be interested in investing in later, like paddling.

PREACH. I have been here for 4 years and these dumb dumbs that think nostalgia and infrastructure are a good mix drives me f*int nuts.

Probably loves to be around uppity old folks who love to complain that dilapidated bridges need to stay up.

Spose and that Xander guy ruined WCYY with Jon Gerrish #hearnospeakno #nine

Check out Meetup.com. Lots of activity in the Portland area and I've seen a few in Brunswick, though I haven't gone before.

I grew up in the Brunswick-Topsham area from 1980-1996. Always wanted out. Now it calls to me like an oasis. It’s not too big and it’s not too small. Several supermarket options, restaurants, and small shops. Plus, what I believe to be the best part, Amtrak service to Portland and beyond. As far as outdoor activities, that all depends on what you enjoy doing. I cycle and do so all over the world. Brunswick and mid-coast have so many great roads for cyclists with very little traffic. Hiking and trail running trails are not as plentiful but they are out there if you ask around at the running or cycling shops.

Brunswick is sweet! I’ve lived in Maine my whole life and after I needed to move from Windham , Brunswick surprisingly was the only place that had an available apartment.

Outdoor? Hiking trails around Brunswick/Harpswell, Brunswick walking path also has some history along it. The old Roller World is gonna be a frigging ice rink and I couldn't be more pumped. Plenty of beaches around, more trails in Bath.

Active sporty stuff is hard in the area but the YMCA has a decent amount of it and not everyone is 80+

I am curious - Why did you move to Brunswick?

Moving there next fall ! Hope to see you there 😁

I think that’s valid? Why not try to connect better with people around you?

I wanna live in Brunswick 😩