How can Mainers trust the lowest ranking power utility for three years running — Central Maine Power — to operate the second-largest Maine’s largest infrastructure project in our state’s history?

A survey conducted by Escalent of Michigan shows customers have less trust in CMP than in 139 of the largest utilities throughout the U.S. Yet again Pacific Gas & Electric, blamed for burning California, is trusted more than CMP.

Six key factors of consumer ratings were analyzed in the brand trust index: customer focus, community support, communications effectiveness, reliable quality, environmental dedication and company reputation.

With a failing grade of 623 out of 1,000, CMP ranked lowest in “the amount of trust customers have with each utility,” according to Escalent.

Last November, market research firm J.D. Power published survey results showing CMP ranked worst among 88 U.S. electricity providers in “business customer satisfaction.” This was the third consecutive year that CMP ranked dead last of utility companies.

If CMP can’t reputably serve its current 646,000 Maine customers, why would we allow this utility — through New England Clean Energy Connect — to add an additional 142 miles of transmission lines to service Massachusetts’ ratepayers which, incidentally, would have priority over Maine ratepayers in the event of widespread power outages?

Perhaps if CMP hadn’t been so laser-focused on forcing the NECEC corridor on us, its reputation wouldn’t be so far in the gutter. CMP should focus on better serving Maine’s ratepayers and environment, not Massachusetts and Spain.

Should the corridor go to the polls in Nov., I encourage voters to reject it.

Carol Howard, New Gloucester

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