Committee advances bill that would increase access to solar energy in Maine
Photo / Tim Greenway
The Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee last week voted in favor of a bill that would increase access to solar energy in Maine.
A bipartisan bill that would make solar energy more accessible to Mainers, particularly those with low to moderate incomes, received approval from the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities & Technology Committee on Thursday night.
LD 1711, sponsored by Sen. Dana Dow, R-Lincoln, would increase the community solar cap from nine to up to 200 customers. There would be no limit on participants for community solar farms under a competitive process. It also makes provisions for low- and moderate-income families to better access solar energy and uses competitive markets to capture low-cost solar. The bill passed the committee by a 10-2 vote.
Advocates said it breaks down barriers to investment and opens up opportunities for businesses, as well.
Testimony in favor of the bill was wide-ranging, from energy transmission companies, including Central Maine Power and Emera Maine, to organizations like the Maine Council of Churches, the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Council of Maine and CEI Corp. A variety of town and city government officials also spoke in favor.
The bill must be voted on by the House and Senate before it would become law. Similar legislation was passed in recent legislative sessions, but opposed by the LePage administration. Gov. Janet Mills is expected to be more receptive to such legislation.
"This bipartisan solar bill is an essential step forward in making our climate and energy goals a reality," said Dylan Voorhees of the Natural Resources Council of Maine in news release. "Maine has fallen badly behind on solar power, and decisive action by the House and Senate in the coming weeks is essential to turning the state around. Creating competitive markets for solar power will help us build the electric grid of the future, reducing our reliance on polluting fossil fuels, lower costs, and create hundreds of good jobs."
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