by Fred Bever Maine Public news story Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court is weighing the future of incentives for residential solar power. The court heard arguments Wednesday in a challenge to state regulators’ efforts to reduce and eventually phase out those incentives. The case for maintaining more generous incentives for solar installations was argued not by Read More
renewable energy
Public Utilities Commission Hears from Public on Proposed Solar Rule Change
By Brandon Doyen WABI news story HALLOWELL, Maine (WABI) – The Public Utilities Commission heard from the public in Hallowell on Tuesday on a rule the PUC proposed that would double the cost to connect solar installations to the grid. Members from the Natural Resources Council of Maine as well as businesses and homeowners that Read More
Resistance to LePage’s Solar Policies Grows in Maine
Environmental groups are pushing back on both the dismantling of net metering and increased interconnection fees on solar owners, in the courts and in public hearings. by Christian Roselund PV Magazine news story Maine Governor Paul LePage was initially elected to office with less than 40% of the vote, and was largely the beneficiary of Read More
Maine Solar Advocates Win Reprieve in Advance of Lawsuit
The Maine PUC delays the start of the law to allow time to clear up confusion, extending the current power pricing that’s an incentive for rooftop installations. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story HALLOWELL — Maine’s rooftop solar installers won a four-month reprieve Tuesday when the Maine Public Utilities Commission voted Read More
Maine PUC Still Doesn’t Know How to Implement Its New Net Metering Rule
Delays Implementation Until May 1, 2018 Statement by Dylan Voorhees, Clean Energy Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “Today the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) reckoned with some of the flaws in their ill-conceived and harmful net metering rollback, deciding to delay implementation by four months. This is a small victory, considering what Maine people really Read More
Electric-car Drivers, You Can Charge It at L.L. Bean in the Near Future
The retailer in Freeport will soon open Maine’s largest plug-in station to show leadership and promote sustainable practices, and other businesses may take notice. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story FREEPORT — L.L. Bean is completing construction at its flagship retail store on what will be Maine’s largest charging station for Read More
State’s Largest Solar Array Now Completely Operational
The 5-megawatt array in Madison generates enough electricity to power 700 homes. Portland Press Herald news story MADISON — The largest solar array in the state is now fully operational, as the final 25 percent of the 26,000-panel array was brought online Wednesday. The array, which will generate enough electricity to power 700 homes, is Read More
Maine’s Disastrous New Solar Rules Violate Our Right to Energy Independence
By Seth Berry, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed It’s shocking, but true. Thanks to the actions of a self-proclaimed anti-tax governor, Maine is about to become the first state where electric companies can charge fees for the energy you make and use at your own home or business. This will likely reduce your Read More
In the End, Mainers Will Reject Regulators’ Anti-clean-energy Rule
The PUC tax on energy produced and used in the home will take effect as an election approaches. by Seth Berry Portland Press Herald op-ed AUGUSTA — Since Aug. 2, I’ve been asked many times: What happened to this year’s solar bill? And why? Despite overwhelming public support, on the last day of our legislative Read More