Corporations cannot decide what alternative energies are best for us.

There is little doubt that Maine’s economy is struggling to get back on its feet. We have seen mills close, factories move away, and small businesses fold with the arrival of new corporate entities.

However, a glimmer of hope has emerged. As the desire to become energy independent has surged, Maine, and its relatively harvestable wind speeds, have become attractive to investors.

This energy is sold to large suppliers such as New Brunswick Energy Co. – where energy produced by the Mars Hill Wind Farm is sent – with only a small portion eventually sold back to Mainers.

Maine has a real opportunity. However, if large business interests involved are allowed to be the sole voice in negotiating the laws and policies that govern these new economic opportunities, then Maine will be doomed to repeat past mistakes when its geographic location no longer appeals to the economic powers that be.

We must become educated about who is interested in Maine, before advertisements from biased sources begin running non-stop.

Maine is electrically served by several entities, the largest being Central Maine Power. CMP, which is now owned by Energy East of New York, is being bought by Ilberdrola, an international energy company from Spain. Officials expect the deal to close in 2008.

According to its Web site, Iberdrola is “a global utility with activities in the full value chain of the electricity business.” Just as ExxonMobil controls the means to produce, transport and distribute gasoline, so, too, does Iberdrola have the means to do the same with electricity. Its commitment to the environment is supported by the fact that 3,500 megawatts of its 40,000-megawatt generation capacity is produced from renewable sources.

What is this global corporation’s intent with our electricity? Consider other recent Iberdrola purchases:

• Pennsylvania’s Community Energy focuses on construction of new wind farms, by providing seed money (from Iberdrola) to those interested in bringing wind farms to their community.

• Maryland’s CPV Wind Ventures LLC was purchased in April 2007, and specializes in alternative energy management and investment, with specific experience in wind power. According to its Web site, “CPV Renewable Energy Company develops wind energy projects from conception through construction and commercial operation.”

So, this “global utility” has recently bought companies familiar with various regional energy markets, as well as what must be done to earn public, governmental and financial support to develop wind power. Then it buys a small power company in desperate need of investment, in a region rich in wind resources and accepting of wind projects.

When Energy East was sold to Iberdrola for $4.5 billion in June, Wesley von Schack, chairman and chief executive officer of Energy East, stated in a news release, “Policymakers now recognize the need for our industry to make significant investments in our energy infrastructure. Our objective is to team with the states in which we do business to help meet the goals they have established to increase renewable sources of energy, improve energy efficiency, and invest in a secure and reliable energy infrastructure.”

This is not only why CMP is excited to join Iberdrola, but also why those who rely on this company to provide electricity should also be excited. There is, however, little offered about why this international corporation is interested in joining the Northeast energy market.

This company is known globally as a leader in alternative energy – specifically wind power. It seems recent wind developments within Maine must have played heavily into its decision. It’s then safe to say CMP could become heavily involved in infrastructure tied to wind power.

The benefit is Maine could have the ability to power itself, creating a more self-sufficient society. However, we must also hope we’re not exploited by another industry that would abandon Maine when economic winds shift.

Maine must plan far enough ahead, so if this alternative energy market develops and renders updated infrastructure obsolete, the state is protected. Any development, like checkering the landscape with windmills, should be designed to protect our interests, if the energy produced can be delivered cheaper by someone else.

Wind infrastructure, and the legislation and regulations that grants and manages it, should be developed in such a way, that if nothing else, Maine remains able to supply itself with cheap, renewable energy.

We should be excited the eye of investment is trained onto our area for future alternative energy projects.

All I’m suggesting is having Mainers decide on alternative energy approaches in Maine, so companies like Iberdrola don’t do it for us.

Randy Lautz of Jay is a 2007 graduate from the University of Maine in Orono, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science.