Our Power was founded to shift power—both literal and political power —away from distant corporations and toward the people of Maine. Literally, this means accelerating the transition to clean, renewable energy in the face of climate breakdown. Politically, it means restoring decision-making to historically marginalized communities who have been excluded from shaping the state’s energy future. We envision healthy, just, and sustainable communities where energy democracy empowers workers, neighbors, and households to co-create their own futures.Energy lies at the heart of Maine’s ecological and economic crises. Rates have risen faster here than almost anywhere, with Central Maine Power and Versant ranked among the nation’s lowest in customer satisfaction. Low-income households now spend nearly 20% of their income on energy, according to a 2024 American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy report. As a result, rooftop solar, heat pumps, and EVs remain out of reach for those who need them most, making inequity a major barrier to Maine’s decarbonization. Reforming our energy system is both an ecological necessity and an act of economic justice.Our Power formed because Mainers demanded solutions from the ground up. By reclaiming energy through community cooperatives and tribal partnerships, we foster civic engagement, return power to local hands, and prove communities can lead a just transition, showing that local action drives global change.