Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 1d

I'm just astonished by the vitriol I am reading here, toward Mills and anyone w/ anything nice to say about her. I know people are angry at Joe Biden. But that's no excuse for hostile age-ism of a sort that would be intolerable in other contexts. If BlueSky is just lefty X, I'm signing off. 3/3

3 1

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 1d

I'm not saying age isn't a valid factor as Maine Democrats decide whom to support in their senate primary. It's one of many things to think about and, yes, there's value in generational change. But the wisdom one acquires with age and experience is also something to consider. 2/3

1 1

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 1d

I did not realize until today what a cesspool THIS platform had become until I had the nerve to push back gently against the posts I was reading here that argued Janet Mills should not be allowed to run for Senate because she is too old. 1/3

3 1

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 1d

And (re your post about healthcare and your dad) if you do bother to google me you will see that I am quite active in that ream, largely because of my daughter's $400,000 annual pharmacy bill.

1

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 1d

Fair enough. I'm pretty google-able, though, if you are curious. I've always recoiled against the idea of damning whole groups of people based on what generation they belong to - as if generations really exist as coherent or cohesive subgroups.

1

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 1d

With respect: not letting people "pass laws they won't have to feel the impacts of" is an indefensible position. Do you really think I'm indifferent to the fate of my kids and their kids and indeed civilization itself? Conversely, should it be okay for younger people to wipe out my Social Security?

1

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 1d

No I am saying that most older people acquire wisdom and judgment with age -- just not me.

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 1d

Never. I'm losing my patience and kindness as I get older and the world around me grows ever more coarse (as amply demonstrated by this very thread). I intend to retire at the end of my term as Consumer Advocate in late 2027 and fade into obscurity.

2

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 1d

You got me. Totally guilty of the two-space thing. And at age 67, I'm sure I have plenty of beliefs I cling to reflexively and should not seek elective office. I just think Janet Mills has earned a respectful hearing, even among those who prefer a younger person.

1 1

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 1d

okay, fair enough. I (obviously) also care about what happens in the Maine senate election. I just abhor the vehemence with which people are criticizing Gov. Mills here; she doesn't deserve it. Also: I'm sorry you are muting me, Professor; I am still your fan.

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 1d

Oh. Well, I shall remain your fan, and will even preorder your book, no matter what you say about this. To me this argument is last-case bias -- Joe Biden was not up to beating Trump so all elders in politics must exit the stage. That's regrettable.

1

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 1d

Really? Based on what? People acquire wisdom and judgment with age.

25 1

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 1d

Professor, I can't believe I shocked you into silence. My quibble is with vehement opposition to someone who has such a long and distinguished record, just because she's older than you (or me). I personally see the appeal of both Plattner and Mills. But Mills simply doesn't deserve your hostility.

1

Reposted by Donald M. Kreis

David Roberts @volts.wtf · 3d

Today on Volts: hey listen up! The most important election of the year is happening in Georgia next month. Two seats on the (currently all-GOP) Public Service Commission are up & rising electricity prices are on everyone's mind. This is a bellwether for next year's governor & midterm elections!

Pay attention to the most important political race of 2025

With energy affordability set to dominate national politics, Peter Hubbard and Brionté McCorkle explain why a down-ballot Georgia race is ground zero for the fight.

www.volts.wtf

5 87 180

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 10d

Right now I will just point out just two things. First, my independence as Consumer Advocate is my superpower. Second, in February I will celebrate ten years as Consumer Advocate, and when you do a job like this for that long, taking ratepayer interests seriously, I guess you make a few enemies.

3

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 10d

— specifies that the main duty of the OCA is to advocate for “reliable energy sources,” which is code for fossil fuels and nuclear power,
— reduces our tiny workforce of six people down to four.

1 1

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 10d

Instead the new version of HB 610:
— makes it so that the Consumer Advocate essentially serves at the pleasure of the Governor,
— abolishes the requirement that the Consumer Advocate be a lawyer … i.e., an actual advocate, . . .

1

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 10d

Today the House Committee on Executive Departments and Administration takes up a new version of HB610, originally introduced to abolish my office — the Office of the Consumer Advocate (OCA), which fights for NH’s residential utility customers.
Now the bill no longer abolishes the OCA. Instead . . .

2 4

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 17d

Yay! Applegreen is the worst -- see any of their rest areas in NY or Maine -- and Global Partners is an excellent company. I hope the MassDOT pivots to the other bidder without delay. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/23/b...

Applegreen drops out of Mass. highway service plaza deal - The Boston Globe

Losing bidder Global Partners had been challenging the lucrative deal to redevelop and operate Turnpike travel plazas.

www.bostonglobe.com

1 2

Reposted by Donald M. Kreis

Moby Dick @mobydickatsea.bsky.social · 18d

Where lies the final harbor, whence we unmoor no more?

2 34 130

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 22d

It's been a quiet week in Lake Wobegone: Two of New England's top utility regulators go down in the same week -- NH on Monday; CT on Friday. I'm dizzy.

1

Reposted by Donald M. Kreis

The Bulwark @thebulwark.com · 24d

Dr. Susan Monarez: “I could have stayed silent, agreed to the demands, and no one would have known. What the public would have seen were scientists dismissed without cause and vaccine protections quietly eroded…I would have lost the one thing that cannot be replaced: My integrity.”

300 4.5K 14K

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 25d

Someone must have reminded the Governor of how it went down the last time a PUC chair left office. Well into the evening, she signed an order to phase out ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs. This time was different.

4

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 26d

NH PUC Chairman Goldner out of a job as if 5pm per the governor’s office.

1

Donald M. Kreis @dmokreis.bsky.social · 27d

Governors who care about bloated rates for electric utilities should take a hard look at the lavish returns being granted to utility shareholders. www.linkedin.com/posts/donald...

Indiana governor seeks lower utility rates: ‘We can’t take it anymore.’ | Donald M. Kreis

As a ratepayer advocate, I find it highly gratifying and laudable to see governors around the U.S., including our governor in New Hampshire, drawing attention to the fact that electric rates are out o...

www.linkedin.com

3