They create solar disincentives that in the long term will undermine the public’s ability to benefit from private investments in solar and battery storage. by Vaughan Woodruff, president of Insource Renewables in Pittsfield and chair of the Committee on Renewable Energy, the trade association for Maine-based solar contractors Portland Press Herald op-ed PITTSFIELD — The Read More
solar bill
Maine Regulators Seek Middle Ground in Residential Solar Incentives
by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Solar installers decry the new PUC rule, foreshadowing a fresh fight in the Legislature. HALLOWELL — Homeowners with solar-electric panels would be compensated for the power they produce at a full retail rate for 15 years, but those who wait until 2018 and a period Read More
Conservation Leaders Unveil 2017 Environmental Priorities
Conservation leaders met at the state house Tuesday to unveil their environmental priorities for this legislative session.
Here’s To All of Us
It has been a very big year for NRCM and the people of Maine. In June, the Penobscot River Restoration Project was completed, opening up nearly 2,000 miles of habitat for 11 species of native sea-run fish. NRCM began working on this project with others more than 16 years ago. In August, we saw the Read More
Despite Political Shifts, Solar Decision Expected by Year’s End in Maine
A proposal to limit incentives for homeowners is likely strengthened in wake of state and federal election results. by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Clean-energy advocates in Maine are seeking a path forward to save a controversial financial incentive for rooftop solar panels, following an election that might make it harder 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
Solar Energy Bill Extinguished by Lobbying Based on False, Misleading Information
Behind closed doors and in debate, Republican Minority Leader Ken Fredette let the attack on the most significant solar energy measure Maine has ever seen. By Sam Zuckerman, owner, Maine Solar Solutions in Portland Portland Press Herald op-ed April 29th was a dark day for solar energy in Maine. It was the day that an Read More
The Six Republican ‘Walkers’ Who Killed Maine’s Solar Bill
By Rep. Jeff McCabe, D-Skowhegan, is the House majority leader Bangor Daily News op-ed This legislative session, we could have passed a historic solar bill into law. But too many House Republicans caved in to their leaders and the governor, throwing away that opportunity and all the jobs that would have come with it. LD Read More
Opportunity Lost as GOP Thwarts Job-creating Solar Energy Bill
By Sen. Dawn Hill Seacoast Online news story It’s not every day that Maine has an opportunity to take the lead in a growing industry, create and sustain jobs for its people, lower energy costs and fight climate change. We seized that opportunity in 2008, when the Legislature passed changes to the Wind Energy Act Read More