House and Senate votes Wednesday indicate enough support to override a veto, but a similar bill fell short of an override after passing with veto-proof majorities last year. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A bill that would tweak Maine’s solar “net metering” credits and direct utility regulators to Read More
renewable energy
More Than Two-thirds of Maine House and Senate Approve Solar Bill; Next Significant Vote Expected to be Veto Override (LD 1504, as amended)
Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Climate and Clean Energy Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “Today, the Maine House (105-40) and Senate (29-6) voted overwhelmingly in favor of a compromise solar bill to help build a prosperous future for Maine people through encouraging clean, locally produced solar power and the good jobs it delivers. The measure Read More
Construction of Solar Project on South Portland’s Capped Landfill to Start in July
The array off Highland Avenue is expected to generate about 12 percent of the electricity used by the city’s school and municipal buildings. by Kelley Bouchard, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story SOUTH PORTLAND — Construction of a solar array on the city’s capped landfill is expected to start in July after the City Read More
Solar Bill Would Let Maine Grow Clean Energy Jobs
The bill that just passed both chambers in a preliminary vote must have ongoing support. Portland Press Herald editorial There’s an energy boom underway in this country, and it’s not in the oil fields. Advances in solar power technology have brought down prices, putting photovoltaic panels in financial reach of millions of homeowners as well Read More
House and Senate Approve Solar Bill, More Votes Ahead
Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Clean Energy Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “The Legislature’s bipartisan votes for the solar bill are good news for Mainers. This common sense bill will help prevent the loss of solar jobs in Maine, save money for all Maine electricity customers, and allow more Mainers to benefit from this clean, Read More
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
