The work of the state’s wood-to-energy task force is compromised by its chairman’s position as principal of a new wood pellet-furnace company.

Les Otten of Greenwood is the task force’s chairman. He is also a director of Maine Energy Systems Inc., which imports European wood pellet furnaces. The Associated Press reports MES has sold more than 400 this year.

The furnaces are replacements for oil-fired home heating systems. Otten, according to AP, wants 10 percent of Maine’s homes to convert to pellets in five to seven years. This would mean sales of perhaps 40,000 furnaces.

Stratospheric heating oil prices may accomplish this. So could, however, Maine energy policies favoring the manufacture of pellets, and installation of pellet stoves and furnaces, which the task force’s report supports.

“The state of Maine should investigate and promote a program for buying back or converting old polluting wood stoves and boilers in exchange for modern clean and efficient wood-to-energy appliances,” is one of its suggestions.

“The wood-to-energy solution that can have a significant impact on Maine’s economyis the replacement or supplementation of No. 2 oil-fired home and small business heating systems with pellet-fueled heating systems,” the report also states. “Regulatory issues for the safe installation, maintenance, and certification of these systems must be addressed to make this a reality.”

And, “The state should not inhibit the ability of the private sector to provide pellet fueled heating systems for use in homes and small businesses and wood chip fueled heating systems for larger applications.”

Taken alone, these suggestions – along with the many others made by the task force – are smart ideas for this crisis. Busting barriers for heating alternatives is a necessity, given Maine’s frightening dependence on oil.

It must be acknowledged, however, that the chairman, plus the other principals of Maine Energy Systems, William Strauss and Harry Dresser, were also active members of the task force.

Otten did address this conflict during the task force’s meeting May 28.

“We are all experienced in a piece of this large picture,” the minutes cite him as saying. “Having all the pieces fit together in the end will help the governor in advancing this state’s energy policies forward.”

Nobody should be exempted from helping Maine through tough winters ahead, and we expect private and public leaders with experience, interest and enthusiasm to help the state and its government through this crisis.

Public benefit, though, must be considered paramount. The appearance of private interests dictating Maine energy policy could undermine the important work still ahead.

Before the task force’s policy suggestions are reviewed, this issue must be more fully addressed.

Until it is, the appearance of conflict cannot be disregarded.