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
renewable energy
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 Lawmakers Put Biomass On Hold; Solar Inches Forward
Public News Service news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Faced with key decisions on the best way to proceed on energy sources for Maine, state legislators have put off a bill to promote biomass, and moved forward on a measure to support solar power. Dylan Voorhees, climate and clean energy director with the Natural Resources Council 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
Portland Joins Climate Mayors in Support of Paris Accord
So far, 211 mayors representing 54 million Americans have joined the network, which pledges to uphold the goals of the worldwide agreement from which President Trump will withdraw. from staff report Portland Press Herald news story Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling announced Monday that Maine’s largest city will join the so-called Climate Mayors network in support Read More
Rural Maine Can’t Wait for Solar Energy
By Jason Tessier, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed A critical first step toward building Maine’s next generation economy is passing effective solar energy policy during this legislative session. Solar power expansion goes hand in hand with job growth, energy independence, lower energy costs and reduced carbon emissions. Maine legislators such as Democratic Read More
Kennebunk Utility Inks 20-year Deal to Build Solar Energy Array
By Darren Fishell, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story KENNEBUNK, Maine — The local utility Kennebunk Power and Light has signed a 20-year deal that’s designed to support construction of one of the state’s largest solar arrays in operation. The local utility district announced in a statement dated last week that it signed the Read More
My Thoughts on Tragic Trump Decision to Exit Paris Climate Agreement
President Trump’s decision to remove the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement is a devastating blow to the nation and the planet, and could have dire consequences for the state of Maine. Just 18 months ago, the U.S. provided critical leadership in securing support from 194 other nations to participate in this voluntary action Read More
Rooftop Solar Bill Advances, but Republican Opposition Foreshadows Fight
The measure endorsed by the Legislature’s energy committee calls for a cost-benefit analysis of how utilities pay homeowners and small businesses for the electricity they generate. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A bill that would keep current financial incentives for rooftop solar in place pending a cost-benefit study Read More
