Support hydropower, support Maine communities | Letter

A letter argues that supporting hydropower also means supporting Maine communities, jobs, and long-term stability. The author, identified as assistant business manager of IBEW Local 1837, says hydropower facilities have provided steady work for more than a century, particularly in rural areas where jobs are harder to find. The letter states that workers often commute from near their homes, raise families locally, and invest in towns dependent on river-based facilities. It contends Maine’s hydropower fleet continues to deliver renewable energy while sustaining well-paying employment. The letter urges leaders in Washington, including Sen. Angus King, to keep hydropower resources in focus so they can continue for years. It warns that removing such support would reduce jobs and stability for communities along Maine’s rivers.