A new report commissioned by Maine’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) provides clear evidence for policymakers that the benefits of solar growth outweigh the costs. The PUC’s report, entitled “Status and Cost & Benefit Analysis of Maine’s 2023 Solar Market,” is the first comprehensive assessment of the costs and benefits of solar projects under the Net Read More
net metering
Repeal of Gross Metering a Boost for Clean Energy in Maine
NRCM news release Augusta, ME – Governor Janet Mills today signed into law the repeal (LD 91) of an anti-solar gross metering policy enacted by her predecessor to stifle the development of solar energy in Maine. The change was heralded by the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) as an important first step in moving Read More
Ending Gross Metering a Good First Step for Solar Development
Bangor Daily News editorial It would be a gross understatement to say that Maine’s relatively new rules for solar power generation and billing have not been well received, particularly by the solar industry, environmental groups and the Maine people turning to this source of renewable energy. For years, Maine homeowners and others have received credits Read More
Solar Supporters Urge Maine Lawmakers to Restore Financial Incentives
Hoping to capitalize on a shift in the political climate, installers and other advocates for solar energy want homeowners to again receive credit for feeding electricity back into the grid. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Solar power advocates urged Maine lawmakers on Tuesday to revive financial incentives for Read More
Support of LD 91, An Act to Repeal Gross Metering
Senator Mark Lawrence, Chair Representative Seth Berry, Chair Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities & Technology My name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). Thank you for allowing us to present this testimony. NRCM supports the repeal of gross metering, which is punitive, Read More
Maine PUC Stops Tax on Medium & Large Customers Using Their Own Solar Power
Determines “gross metering” costs ratepayers too much NRCM News Release Today the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) granted a petition from Insource Renewables to suspend so-called “gross metering” for medium and large electricity users, citing excessive costs to all ratepayers to implement the policy. “Gross metering” was adopted by the PUC two years ago to Read More
New Solar Rules Cause Headaches for Solar Users, Installers & Innovators
“The Maine Public Utilities Commission is out of control…” by Andy O’Brien Free Press news story Last week, Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted to move back the date to implement controversial new rules affecting rooftop solar users from May 1 to March 16. Under Maine’s current net-metering rules, homes and businesses can sell excess Read More
Advocates for Home Solar Projects Slam Decision by “Out-of-Control” PUC
Pressured by Gov. LePage, the commission decides new rules reducing compensation for rooftop-generated power will take effect March 16, six weeks earlier than the deadline it set two months ago. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Maine’s rooftop solar installers, who thought they had until April 30 to put up panels Read More
Support of LD 1686, An Act to Amend the Laws Regarding Distributed Energy Generation and to Eliminate Gross Metering
Senator David Woodsome, Representative Seth Berry, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities & Technology, my name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). Thank you for allowing us to present this testimony. Given the history of the policies in this bill, Read More
