In Pittsfield, a solar installer who has hired 10 local residents braces for the impact on his business, and maybe on his home town By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story PITTSFIELD — Solar-electric modules, inverters and heat pumps are stacked on the floor of what once was a convenience store. Long Read More
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Lawmakers Disagree on Solar Power Regulations
By Fred Bever MPBN news story Maine’s solar power industry is in trouble – that’s the word from advocates who say Republicans and the administration of Governor Paul LePage are ready to kill efforts to preserve and expand renewable energy here. But some Republicans and LePage’s chief energy advisor say they are trying to find Read More
LePage and His Legislative Allies are Pushing Amendments that Could Kill Maine’s Solar Industry
Their Actions Could Cost as Many Jobs as the Madison Mill Closure News Release by Maine Association of Building Efficiency Professionals At a State House news conference today, leaders of solar companies across Maine decried the attack on their industry by Governor LePage and his allies, including House Minority Leader Ken Fredette. In the wake Read More
Lawmakers Should Try to Get to “Yes” on Solar
A compromise plan would boost private investment and create good jobs in Maine. Portland Press Herald editorial One of the best-selling books on negotiating is the 1981 title by Roger Fisher and William Ury called “Getting to Yes.” In it, the authors call for putting aside personalities and entrenched positions, and using creativity to find Read More
Teaching and Living Sustainability in Falmouth Elementary Schools
I am a first grade teacher in the largest K-5 elementary school in the state, Falmouth Elementary School. I have brought many sustainability efforts to the children and adults at the school. This endeavor began more than 10 years ago with the introduction by ecomaine of single-stream recycling in Falmouth. Once the program was available in Read More
NRCM Testimony In Support of LD 1649, “An Act to Modernize Maine’s Solar Power Policy and Encourage Economic Development”
Senator David Woodsome, Chair Representative Mark Dion, 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. Thank you for allowing us to present this testimony. NRCM has been working intensely for almost a year with scores Read More
Solar Power Bill Faces Key Legislative Hearing
The proposal to pave the way for solar development has the support of utility companies, environmentalists and solar installers, but Gov. Paul LePage’s opposition may doom the measure. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Clean energy advocates and their allies were gearing up on Wednesday to promote a proposed Read More
Solar Power Compromise Fairly Shares Costs, Benefits
Lawmakers should not miss this opportunity to responsibly expand renewable power. Portland Press Herald editorial Maine lawmakers have a great opportunity to fairly distribute the costs and benefits of solar power, setting a five-year course that would expand use of renewable energy in a sustainable way. That is, if they don’t let politics get in Read More
LePage Opposes Compromise to Rapidly Expand Solar Power
Diverse interest groups back the 12-fold expansion, but LePage’s energy office says it includes subsidies that harm other ratepayers, setting up a legislative battle. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story A compromise proposal to boost solar power development in Maine 12-fold over five years is being opposed by Gov. Paul LePage, Read More
