A modest change to the way power producers are paid is what an industry needs to expand. Portland Press Herald editorial board The Legislature is supposed to be long gone by the time the summer heat has Mainers turning on their air conditioners, creating the year’s peak demand for electricity. But it’s mid-July and lawmakers Read More
Governor Paul LePage
Commentary: Maine Lawmakers Siding with Passing Responsible Energy Policy
Supporting L.D. 1504 with an override vote can thwart efforts to move solar policy backward. By Vaughan Woodruff, owner of Insource Renewables in Pittsfield Press Herald op-ed PITTSFIELD — In the past six years, we’ve heard some absurd energy policy positions and hypocrisy from Gov. LePage. These have ranged from puzzling public comments about the Read More
Gov. LePage Vetoes Solar ‘Net Metering’ Bill, Again
A representative for the solar installation industry accuses the governor of lying in his veto letter to change House Republicans’ votes. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — As expected, Gov. Paul LePage has vetoed a solar energy bill strongly supported by environmental groups and solar installation companies. The bill, Read More
Public Overwhelmingly Supports Maine’s National Monument
99.96% of Public Comments Favor Keeping Katahdin Woods and Waters NRCM news release Bangor — The Natural Resources Council of Maine today announced that public comments submitted to the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) as part of a review of national monuments initiated by President Trump reveal “nearly unanimous” support for Katahdin Woods and Waters Read More
Amended Maine Solar Incentive Bill Appears Poised for Passage
House and Senate votes Wednesday indicate enough support to override a veto, but a similar bill fell short of an override after passing with veto-proof majorities last year. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A bill that would tweak Maine’s solar “net metering” credits and direct utility regulators to Read More
Gov. LePage Misinforms Public in Push to End Land Trust Tax Exemptions
About 95% of the land is already on the tax rolls, and the fiscal impact of taxing the others would be negligible. by Tim Glidden, David Trahan, and Kate Dempsey Portland Press Herald op-ed At the 11th hour and with state government teetering on the edge of a shutdown, the governor has stirred up a Read More
More Than Two-thirds of Maine House and Senate Approve Solar Bill; Next Significant Vote Expected to be Veto Override (LD 1504, as amended)
Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Climate and Clean Energy Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “Today, the Maine House (105-40) and Senate (29-6) voted overwhelmingly in favor of a compromise solar bill to help build a prosperous future for Maine people through encouraging clean, locally produced solar power and the good jobs it delivers. The measure Read More
Solar Bill Would Let Maine Grow Clean Energy Jobs
The bill that just passed both chambers in a preliminary vote must have ongoing support. Portland Press Herald editorial There’s an energy boom underway in this country, and it’s not in the oil fields. Advances in solar power technology have brought down prices, putting photovoltaic panels in financial reach of millions of homeowners as well Read More
House and Senate Approve Solar Bill, More Votes Ahead
Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Clean Energy Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “The Legislature’s bipartisan votes for the solar bill are good news for Mainers. This common sense bill will help prevent the loss of solar jobs in Maine, save money for all Maine electricity customers, and allow more Mainers to benefit from this clean, Read More
