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
net metering
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
Powerful Interests Shaping Fate of Maine’s Solar Industry
by Fred Bever Maine Public news story The future of solar power in Maine is once again up for grabs in the state Legislature. And powerful interests from Maine and around the country are trying to shape the outcome. Fortunat Mueller is not a fan of a decision on solar energy that the Maine Public Read More
Time for Maine Lawmakers to Lead the Transition to a Clean Energy Economy
To mitigate the impacts of climate change, we have to use clean sources of energy such as solar. By Seth Wescott, two-time Olympic gold medalist and a member of the U.S. Snowboard Team. He lives in Carrabassett Valley, co-owns The Rack and Winterstick Snowboards and is a member of the Protect Our Winters Riders Alliance. Read More
Maine is on a Disastrous Path — If It Ever Wants to Benefit from Solar Energy
Bangor Daily News editorial After lawmakers last year failed to pass legislation to update the state’s rules around solar energy sales, the Maine Public Utilities Commission has adopted rules that are unworkable, will unnecessarily cost ratepayers millions of dollars, and do nothing to encourage needed development of solar energy resources in the state. Lawmakers again Read More
Support of LD 1504, An Act Regarding Solar Power for Farms and Businesses
Senator David Woodsome, 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. We appreciate the effort by Senator Saviello Read More
Legislative Committee Holds Hearing on Solar Incentives
by Fred Bever Maine Public news story An overflow crowd turned out for a legislative committee hearing Thursday as supporters and opponents of incentives for solar power development in Maine squared off. Earlier this year state regulators adopted a new version of solar power rules that would gradually reduce existing incentives for the installation of Read More
Customers’ Bills at Center of Fierce Debate Over Incentives for Maine Rooftop Solar
Dozens of people crowd a hearing on new rules that the Legislature is considering to encourage homeowner use of solar power. by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Clean-energy advocates and their supporters rallied Thursday around legislation aimed at maintaining and expanding financial incentives for rooftop solar electricity. But while Read More
Support of LD 1373, An Act to Expand and Protect Access to Solar Power in Maine
Senator David Woodsome, 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. We strongly support this bill, which will increase Maine’s energy Read More
