Senator Mark Lawrence, Chair Representative Seth Berry, Chair Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities & Technology My name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). Thank you for allowing us to present this testimony. NRCM supports the repeal of gross metering, which is punitive, Read More
solar
Bill to Tax Fossil Fuel Producers Among Dozens of Climate-Related Proposals Before Maine Legislature
by Steve Mistler Maine Public news story From carbon taxes to the Maine version of the Green New Deal, Democratic state lawmakers are pitching a slew of bills designed to address the threat of climate change. While Democrats have introduced climate bills before, the proposals had no real chance to become law during Republican Gov. Read More
Solar Panel Plan for Blaine House Sends a Message
The governor solicits proposals for what’s likely to be a visible affirmation of renewable energy. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The Mills administration is drawing up a request for proposals over the coming weeks to install solar-electric panels on the Blaine House, an action meant to signal that Maine once again Read More
Maine Mall 2,340-panel Solar Array Poised to Go Online
by Maureen Milliken Mainebiz news story The Maine Mall is expected to save thousands of kilowatt hours in energy costs this year when a 2,340-panel solar array goes online. The array has been installed and is awaiting installation of a foot pad walkway system before it powers up, South Portland Economic Development Director William Mann Read More
A Welcome Change for Maine’s Climate
There were many reasons to celebrate the inauguration of Governor Janet Mills on Wednesday evening, January 2. The fact that she is the first woman to hold the post is already an important part of Maine’s story and history. For anyone who cares deeply about protecting Maine’s environment, Governor Mills’ speech has further reason to Read More
Portland Completes 4-acre Solar Project
The city’s new solar array, celebrated by officials and renewable energy advocates on Tuesday, is generating electricity to help power city buildings. by Randy Billings, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Portland has completed a 4-acre solar array on top of the city’s old municipal landfill. City officials and renewable energy gathered Tuesday to Read More
Solar Power Achieved a New England Milestone on Chilly Thanksgiving
Sun-generated electricity reached a level that actually shifted peak energy demand away from the usual midmorning, showing solar’s growing role on the region’s electric grid. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story On last month’s historically cold Thanksgiving Day, New England turkeys were being roasted by the sun. For the first time, Read More
Maine Regulators Partially Undo Controversial Solar Metering Rule
By Fred Bever Maine Public news story State regulators are partially unwinding what they had hoped was a solution to inequities in the way solar power users are compensated for excess electricity they supply to the grid. Last year, after several legislative attempts to reform the state’s solar rules were stymied by Gov. Paul LePage, Read More
Maine PUC Stops Tax on Medium & Large Customers Using Their Own Solar Power
Determines “gross metering” costs ratepayers too much NRCM News Release Today the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) granted a petition from Insource Renewables to suspend so-called “gross metering” for medium and large electricity users, citing excessive costs to all ratepayers to implement the policy. “Gross metering” was adopted by the PUC two years ago to Read More
