by Chris Rose, staff writer WCSH news story New rules being considered by the Maine Public Utilities Commission could have a major impact on the future of solar power in the state. The changes would cut financial incentives for homeowners with solar panels. Advocates say without those incentives, people and businesses will be less likely Read More
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Battle Over Maine Solar Energy Policies Continues
by Fred Bever, staff writer Maine Public news story Advocates for expanding solar power’s footprint in Maine turned out in force Monday to call on regulators to preserve policies they say have fostered the industry’s growth. They’re also requesting that any changes be left to the next Legislature. Earlier this year, the state’s Public Utilities Read More
Crucial Battle Over Solar Panel Incentives Goes to Maine PUC
Many Maine jobs are at stake as a proposal to reduce the credits for power fed to the grid from home rooftops is debated at a hearing. by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Battle lines are being drawn for a fight over the future of rooftop solar energy in Maine, as Read More
Don’t Have Solar Panels On Your Roof? You’re Still Benefiting From Solar
By Phil Coupe, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed To make good decisions on energy investments and policy, Mainers must get true facts about solar, not just the myths being intentionally sown by utilities that want to protect their monopoly on our energy consumption. A recent BDN article did not mention that solar Read More
LePage, Environmental Lobbyists Weigh Future of Solar Policy
By Marina Villeneuve The Associated Press PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Republican Gov. Paul LePage and powerful environmental lobbyists are among those weighing in on the future of a Maine policy that gives bill credits to solar system owners for the retail value of the excess energy they feed back into the grid. LePage calls the Read More
Study Shows Solar Saves Money for All Ratepayers in Maine by Reducing Peak Demand
Costly Strain on New England Utility Grid Usually Peaks Around First Week of August News release Portland, ME – An updated analysis of the “value of solar” power in Maine shows that solar installations within the state cut electricity prices for everyone in Maine who pays an electric bill, by reducing peak demand on the Read More
Portland Council Panel Endorses Solar Project, Recycling Carts
By David Harry, staff writer The Forecaster news story PORTLAND — By this time next year, recycling could be on a roll in Portland. A plan forwarded by City Manager Jon Jennings and Sustainability Coordinator Troy Moon to purchase carts for storing recyclable materials and three semi-automated trucks to collect the materials was endorsed by a Read More
Maine PUC Could Decide Fate of Solar in Maine
by Andy O’Brien Free Press news story When fourth generation mill worker Sadie Ferreira heard the news that Verso’s Bucksport paper mill would be shutting down at the end of 2014, she was devastated. “I was really upset by it because so many of my family members still worked there,” said the 35-year-old Bucksport native. Read More
Big Solar Worked to Kill Maine Solar Energy Bill
Fearful that the bill would threaten their business model, national companies took steps that helped LePage and Republicans, at the expense of local solar installers and their Democratic allies. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The Maine lawmakers who last month defeated a landmark bill that would have expanded solar energy Read More
