By Ed Morin
MPBN news story
Portland City Councilors voted last night to proceed with development of a solar-power array atop an old landfill in the city.
The measure would authorize the city manager to negotiate an agreement with ReVision Energy for installation of a 660 kilowatt solar power array on the closed and capped Ocean Avenue landfill.
Councilor Jon Hinck sponsored the measure. He says the city of Portland has long favored clean energy.
“I saw a resolution in the city council minutes of June 14, 1999, declaring that the city of Portland favors solar power and will continue to find ways to bring solar power to the citizens of Portland, Maine,” he says.
Hinck says, under the plan, ReVision would own the array and that the city would purchase all of the power.
After 6 years, the city would have the option, but not the obligation, to purchase the array.
Hinck says the solar array would just about match the power needs of Portland City Hall with its Merrill Auditorium performance space.
