by Sue Jones, NRCM energy project director
Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments on behalf of the Natural Resources Council of Maine (Council). I am the Energy Project Director for the Council and I live in Freeport. The Council is a public interest, nonprofit organization that seeks to protect and conserve Maine’s environment for now and future generations. As part of the Council’s work, we advocate for clean air and energy measures, including those that reduce global warming pollution.
The Council supports LD 641 because it would ensure consumer and market protection for purchasers and supporters of new solar installations in Maine.
Solar, like many other new technologies, has had difficulties getting market penetration in Maine and in other states. This is partly because of the many myths and concerns that have been circulated over the years – i.e., that Maine does not have “enough sun” to support solar systems, that they are too expensive, that the technology is not reliable enough, and that there are not enough vendors and installers with expertise and experience in Maine. The latter myth is the one that this bill proposes to address – ensuring that solar installers in Maine know what they are doing.
In short, this bill would:
In the meantime, the Council will help to dispel some of the myths around solar power in Maine because we believe that solar can play a significant role in reducing global warming pollution and its impacts in Maine.
Global warming is a threat that will have real impacts to Maine. Some of the expected outcomes caused by global warming pollution in Maine include:
