Dick Davis
stands next to the governor after being sworn in as ME’s Public Advocate
by Ramona du
Houx
Long after most
personnel have left the Statehouse, a light might still be burning in one of the
governor’s offices. If so, a calm, reassuring voice would be heard on the phone, and
at one point Dick Davies would emerge to get another cup of coffee that would sustain him
through the next round of phone calls.
As Governor
Baldacci’s senior policy advisor, he kept the governor informed, mainly on utility
and energy issues. Davies was always on call in case of an emergency, always informed, and
always took the time to help everyone. Davies not only could recite statistics and the
history of an issue that he oversaw, he would give you insights about the issues that
would put everything into perspective.
Patient,
poised, and pragmatic, Davies works with a dedication and determination that is rare to
find. For him, at the end of the day, if he has helped progress what the people of the
state need, that’s what matters the most. That’s the reason why Davies decided
upon a life in public service.
"I’ve
been here through the last five governors," said Davies, referring to his time in
state government.
"Dick
Davies has served the state for a long period of time; he has given tremendous amounts of
his life and his family’s as a sacrifice," said Governor Baldacci.
"I’m grateful for his tremendous service. I know we are getting a great public
advocate."
When he was a
student at the University of Orono, where he earned his BA and MA, he was compelled to run
for student government. Ever since then he’s been involved in politics. Davies served
in the Maine House of Representatives for eight years and was active in reforming utility
laws during his tenure in the Legislature. He chaired the Committee on Energy and the
Committee of Public Utilities.
"When I
was a legislator I was the sponsor for the first law in the nation that eliminated
mandatory retirement. It became a model that the other 49 states and the federal
government eventually adopted," said Davies, recalling the achievement that is the
most memorable for him. "I kicked over the first stone that eventually led to the
elimination of a social policy that caused a lot of very talented people being forced out
of work simply because they turned 65."
It took
tenacity to get the law passed, for the governor at the time, Longley, originally vetoed
the bill. "But we managed to override his veto."
Somehow,
despite what many would consider overwhelming obstacles, Davies gets the task at hand
accomplished.
Governor
Baldacci’s chief of staff, Jane Lincoln, witnesses Richard Davis’ appointment to
Public Advocate.
"Dick has
worked with the most controversial issues in state government, in the state of Maine, and
has always had the respect of the parties involved, whether they agreed or disagreed with
him, which is a great attribute to have," said Baldacci.
In fact Davies
negotiated the compromise that created the Office of Public Advocate, in 1981. He never
imagined that 26 years later he would be sworn in as public advocate for the state of
Maine, after a unanimous vote of the state Senate.
"The
Office of Public Advocate is responsible for representing the using-and-consuming pubic on
utility matters. I’ll have a wide array of public utility matters that I’ll be
involved in, telecommunications, electricity, ferry service, water districts, and the
like. I’m particularly interested in finding ways for consumers to protect their own
interests. My office has limited resources, and we can’t intervene in every case that
comes along. The degree that consumers know their rights and can advocate for themselves,
with whatever the utility that may be in question, means there is less need for an agency
like mine to represent them in every proceeding that comes along," said Davies.
"I’ll be working to find ways to get them more engaged, whether it’s in
publications like Rate Watches, which is a guide that educates people on how to use
their utilities, or possibly engaging a community educator that will go out and meet with
schools and civic organizations and others, to help them understand how they can play a
role in making sure that what they pay and the service they get from their utilities is as
good as possible."
Before joining
the governor’s staff, Davies served as president of Public Policy Associates, Inc.,
where his clients ranged from a natural gas utility to an association of Community Action
Program agencies. Davies’ experience and diplomatic abilities enabled him to
successfully help implement the governor’s energy and utility policies.
When it came
time to showcase state government as an example to follow with sound energy policies,
Davies was there, and he ensured that energy issues became a high priority.
"The whole
effort to make energy a high priority within state government and putting in place a
number of measures that demonstrate the state leading by example was probably the most
important work I’ve done while working for the Baldacci administration," said
Davies. "That included improving gas mileage of the State fleet, adding hybrid
vehicles, reducing the amount of commuting that State employees did — by doing more
telecommuting — and changing over how the State handles purchasing of electricity.
"We bought
in more green power, lowered the State’s electric bill by $4 million by bidding out
contract long term, put in place the governor’s solar initiative, an energy
conservation program for natural-gas customers, and the governor’s omnibus
legislation. That legislation did a number of important things. It gave a tax break for
using biodiesel, changed the way we handled contracts for long-term power, and how people
get their electricity. All these measures are improving energy efficiency and costs to
customers."
The
governor’s omnibus legislation has allowed the recent memoranda of understanding
between New Brunswick and Maine, which could lead to an energy exchange between the two
countries and lower electricity rates.
"The issues that Dick has
been working on, his knowledge and experiences are going to be critical to the state.
There isn’t anyone more experienced. You couldn’t have a better person in this
position," said Baldacci. "He recognizes the challenges we have in the state in
telecommunications, energy transmission and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To have
Dick in this position is good for the future of the state."
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