Dozens gather at State House to urge clean energy investments
Power Maine Forward news release
AUGUSTA, ME – More than a hundred Mainers gathered at the State House on Thursday to remind lawmakers that clean energy creates jobs and reduces costs for working families. The supporters of clean energy lined the halls of the State House before session began, and gathered for a news conference later in the morning with a unified message that investing in clean energy is simply the right thing to do.
“We know that investing in solar energy is the right thing to do,” said Brayden House, a third-year solar electrician apprentice. “To me, and hundreds of people like me, solar energy is more than just the right thing to do. It is a job. It’s a career. It’s the ability to live and work in Maine. And while I’ve been fortunate, working on clean energy sites throughout the region, times are uncertain for others. We’ve seen funding at the federal level with clean energy tax credits have been thrown into uncertainty. This uncertainty has resulted in layoffs here in Maine – both union jobs and non-union jobs. We need an environment that supports good jobs, good benefits, and strong opportunities — and we should all be in this together.”
The group gathered in support of three bills:
- LD 1868, which expands the Renewable Portfolio Standard to 90 percent by 2040 and could lower household energy costs by up to $1,300 per year;
- LD 1270, which establishes a cabinet-level Department of Energy in Maine; and
- LD 1949, which creates new fairness and affordability standards for utilities.
“My company has a 20MW project in Sanford, which is employing Mainers,” said Dale Knapp, Head of Development with Walden Renewables. “We have more than 100 people working on that project and at least 80 percent of those workers are Maine people. These are skilled tradespeople, timber harvesters, civil operators, electricians, and the list goes on and on. And this is just one of our projects. We are one developer talking about one project in this instance. The multiplier effect is very real, and when we talk about supporting clean energy projects, we are talking about supporting careers for thousands and thousands of our fellow Maine residents and Maine families. It is simply the right thing to do.”
Solar customers were also on hand, speaking of their own experiences with investments made in clean energy based on promises. Those customers say that if the promises aren’t kept, it erodes trust with Maine people.
“The State of Maine has made it clear that they want us, as consumers, to use renewable energy,” said Leslie Geissinger of Jay, a rooftop solar customer and landowner for a community solar project in Livermore Falls. “We believe in the need for renewable energy and its value for Maine residents and the Maine economy. We count on solar lease payments as part of our farm and household income. It supports our children’s college education. So we, in good faith, put up our own investments with the promise of a program existing to support it. If that program is determined to need some adjustments, so be it. But to pull the rug out from under us is just plain wrong. While some changes might be warranted to certain aspects, we must move forward with clean energy goals rather than adopt an approach that significantly erodes every part of the existing programs. That will further erode trust in our elected body while hurting Mainers.”
Several clean energy bills are before the Legislature this session — some that advance Maine’s energy goals, and others that would retroactively change the rules. For those who have already made investments based on state policies, supporters say now is the time to move forward in good faith.
“We hear it a lot: investing in clean energy is the right thing to do,” said Eliza Donoghue, executive director of the Maine Renewable Energy Association (MREA). “We hear it a lot, because it’s true. Investments in clean energy have proven to help hardworking Mainers save money. These investments have proven to help hardworking Mainers stay working. And these investments have proven to give us and our children and grandchildren a greater chance at a cleaner, healthier future. Wind and solar are more abundant, reliable and affordable than expensive and polluting fossil fuels. If we truly want clean energy made here in Maine, we already have the infrastructure and know-how. It’s time to refine what needs refining — and move forward with a clean future for the people of Maine.”
About Power Maine Forward
Power Maine Forward is made up of a number of ENGOs, all with a shared goal of advancing Maine’s clean energy future. Power Maine Forward includes Center for an Ecology Based Economy (CEBE); JustME for JustUS; Maine Audubon; Maine Climate Action Now!; Maine Community Power Cooperative; Maine Conservation Voters; Maine Labor Climate Council; Maine People’s Alliance; Maine Renewable Energy Association (MREA); Maine Youth for Climate Justice; Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM); Physicians for Social Responsibility Maine Chapter; Sierra Club Maine Chapter; Third Act Maine; and Union of Concerned Scientists
