Secure and reasonably priced energy supplies have always been vital to the welfare of Maine\u27s economy and its people. Maine responded to the energy shocks of the 1970s with important state policies, designed in large part to reduce dependence on foreign oil. John Flumerfelt and Richard Silkman of the State Planning Office [this issue] provide an overview of Maine\u27s recent history of energy use and an analysis of both past and future energy policies in Maine. Matthew Hunter of Central Maine Power provides here an alternative perspective on energy policy