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Opinion: Trump tariffs jeopardize our ability to keep the lights on in northern Maine

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Opinion: Trump tariffs jeopardize our ability to keep the lights on in northern Maine


The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com

G. Melvin Hovey is a retired Maine Public Service Company executive.

Maine and New Brunswick are not at war with one another. We are friends and neighbors. And until the Trump administration initiated a trade war with Canada, we had no reason to fear a disruption in our electricity supply from New Brunswick. Yet here we are.

The New Brunswick provincial government is seriously considering shutting off the flow of electricity from New Brunswick into northern Maine. Specifically, Canadian officials said they could not rule out this possibility as retaliation for the U.S. imposing tariffs on imports from Canada. This would have a devastating impact on 58,000 Maine consumers who live and work in communities near the Canadian border and depend on New Brunswick to keep their lights on.

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These Mainers have done nothing to deserve this. They simply live and work near the Canadian border.

I spent 37 years working for Maine Public Service Company (now part of Versant Power), the last 11 years as its president. We worked hard to keep the lights on in Aroostook County and keep electricity prices affordable. Part of our strategy was developing a mutually beneficial partnership with the Province of New Brunswick to share resources for the benefit of both New Brunswick and Aroostook County consumers.

They would provide us with their surplus electricity when it was cheaper for them to generate than for us to do so. They would also transmit through New Brunswick to Aroostook County our share of electricity from generators we owned in southern Maine and New Hampshire, including Maine Yankee, Wyman 4 and Seabrook. As a result, our need for generating capacity located inside Aroostook County was limited. And we were always ready to supply them with any surplus electricity from our generators, should they ever need it.

Over time, we built up a high level of mutual trust that benefited electricity consumers on both sides of the international boundary. Because of this relationship, Aroostook County was never electrically connected to the rest of Maine; instead, we were connected to New Brunswick. As a result, Aroostook County depends heavily on electricity imported from New Brunswick.

The tariffs imposed by our own federal government risk harming our close working relationship with New Brunswick and, more significantly, the ability to keep the lights on in Aroostook County. In the event New Brunswick stops the flow of electricity into Maine, there is not enough generating capacity in Northern Maine to keep all the lights on; preserve all our food; keep all our heating systems energized; keep our stores open; keep our businesses running; and keep our citizens employed. It may be spring, but it’s still cold in Northern Maine.

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As a lifelong Republican, I’m stunned that a Republican administration would initiate federal intervention in local markets. I never thought I would see the day when a Republican president would impose tariffs (taxes) to the detriment of hard-working, innocent Maine consumers. But things have changed.

It boggles the mind that we, as a nation, would turn on our most trusted ally. In border states across the country, we are driving a stake through local economies and even families. Border towns often behave as one large community. Frequently people live on one side of the border and work on the other. Families extend across the border.

In the case of Aroostook County and the Province of New Brunswick, our electric utilities share resources to the benefit of all the ratepayers of both utilities. If the tariffs imposed by Washington lead to New Brunswick retaliating by cutting off electricity to Maine, our northern residents will pay the price of this tariff war.

I urge all my friends and former colleagues to speak up and demand that our congressional delegation use all available resources to stop the president from putting innocent Maine consumers in the middle of his political battle with Ottawa and thereby risk plunging Aroostook County into darkness and a catastrophic black out.



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Maine

This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

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This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak


Are you up for a Maine food challenge, or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?

A Waterville staple, Buen Apetito has a monster burrito just waiting for someone to eat it down to the very last bite.

This thing is a beast, literally called La Bestia, and it’s definitely a mighty task for a fearless foodie.

Take on the Buen Apetito La Bestia Food Challenge in Waterville, Maine

According to Buen Apetito, if you can finish a super-sized burrito in 30 minutes or less, you’ll get the $60 meal for free, a La Bestia champion shirt, and a picture on the wall of fame. That’s not to mention the bragging rights of dominating a task few will be able to conquer.

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Wondering what’s in the burrito?

The Mexican restaurant shared in a Facebook comment on a post that the burrito is filled with “grilled chicken, chorizo, and tender shredded beef or pork. Built on a layer of seasoned rice, refried beans, and French fries, it’s melted together with a shredded Mexican cheese blend and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions, green salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, creamy guacamole, and a bed of shredded lettuce all wrapped in three extra-large tortillas fused into one epic wrap.”

Let’s just say that this thing is packed full.

The first La Bestia contender took up his fork and knife in December 2025, but despite coming close, he couldn’t come out with the win.

As of March 2026, the challenge has remained undefeated. But you never know, someone is bound to come out victorious.

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Just note that you can only try your hand at this food challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.

Buen Apetito Has Been a Longstanding Waterville, Maine, Restaurant

First opened in 1999, Buen Apeitito has been around for nearly 30 years.

Centralmaine.com reported that the Mexican restaurant was originally located at the Railroad Square complex off Chaplin Street before moving to 99 West River Road in 2023.

A little over a year later, in 2024, Buen Apetito shared on Facebook that it was passing on the torch to new owners, including Dalia, “the heart and soul of [the] kitchen for twenty years,” her daughter, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Shawn.

READ MORE: Famous Maine Restaurant Buen Apetito Adds Powerhouse New Owner to Crew

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And it seems like not only are things still going strong, but new additions like La Bestia food challenge are only enhancing the spirit of big flavor and delicious Mexican food at the Waterville staple.

So, you think you’re up for the task of taking down a beast of a burrito at Buen Apetito? Good luck.

You Know You’re From Maine If You’ve Tried All 19 of These Foods

Here’s a number of foods associated with Maine. How many of them have you had?

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

The New York Time’s Best Restaurant Lists Feature These 7 Maine Spots

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

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How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

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How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities


BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Monday’s telethon held by WABI in partnership with Penquis and Heart of Maine United Way Monday raised money for the heating of homes, something so basic, yet so significant in a state like Maine.

Danielle Hewes, Penquis contributor and volunteer, says some people might not even know that they qualify for heating assistance.

“I think there’s this misconception that you can’t get that if you’re working. Like that’s just for people on general assistance. The truth of the matter is this is for the people that are maybe not able to work, but also for the people that are working. They’re making ends meet,” she said.

For Danielle, that’s what makes events like the telethon so special: it’s making a real difference in the community with people who need the help the most.

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Speaking about Penquis in particular, she said, “You learn about all of the other things they do and how they help the community and you can’t help but want to be a part of that.”

If you weren’t able to donate Monday, donations are still being accepted.

You can go to homeunitedway.org/heat.

You can also call 941-2800.

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Arizona Sen. Gallego endorses Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner

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Arizona Sen. Gallego endorses Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner


PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Democrat Graham Platner has picked up another high-profile endorsement in his bid to flip a key Senate seat blue, marking another sign of the oyster farmer and combat veteran’s political resiliency even as he continues to face controversy throughout his campaign.

Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego announced Monday that he was backing Platner, saying that the first-time candidate “reflects the grit and independence that defines Maine.”

“Graham Platner is the kind of fighter Maine hasn’t seen in a long time, someone who tells you exactly what he thinks, doesn’t owe anything to the special interests, and wakes up every day thinking about working families,” said Gallego, who won a Senate seat in Arizona in 2024 by more than 2 points while Trump carried the state by nearly 6 points.

Platner has previously been endorsed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat.

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However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has endorsed Platner’s main opponent, Maine Gov. Janet Mills.

Both Platner, 41, and Mills, 78, are hoping to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, 73, a five-term incumbent who announced last month that she was running for another term. A victory in Maine is crucial for Democrats’ efforts to take back control of the Senate. The Democratic Party needs to net four seats to retake the Senate majority, and they are aiming to do that in Maine, North Carolina, Alaska and Ohio.

READ MORE: Maine’s Graham Platner thinks voters will overlook his past to support a new type of candidate

Platner has gained traction with his anti-establishment image and economic equality message. He’s pressed forward despite controversies over old social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he recently had covered up.

Gallego is among the Democrats named as possible 2028 presidential contenders. Last fall, he stumped in New Jersey, Virginia and Florida, where he campaigned for Democrats who went on to win their elections.

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“I have an immense amount of respect for him and I’m looking forward to joining him as a fellow Marine and combat infantryman in the U.S. Senate,” Platner said in a statement.

Kruesi reported from Providence, Rhode Island.

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