Dive Brief:
- Maine clean energy advocates are backing a slate of six proposals aimed at bolstering the state's solar industry, lowering energy costs and adding greater environmental protections to the state's resources.
- The Environmental Priorities Coalition said a bill to expand access to solar power would grow the state's net metering policy and drop limits on the numbers of customers who can co-own projects.
- A similar measure was vetoed last year by Maine's Republican Gov. Paul LePage (R), but the Associated Press reports advocates are working to build more common ground for the proposals.
Dive Insight:
Gov. LePage vetoed a measure last year which would have expanded the total amount of renewable capacity allowed under a community-based renewable energy pilot program from 50 MW to 60 MW, and which would have reinstated a solar and wind rebate program. But the Idaho Statesman reports that environmental advocates are trying to find common ground, and are pushing six measures they believe would improve Maine's energy security, expand solar power and protect the environment.
Among the proposals is the Solar Power for Maine bill, sponsored by Rep. Sara Gideon. The measure would make solar power more accessible by reducing current barriers, including arbitrary limits on the number of people who can co-own a solar project, EPC said.
"The Solar Power for Maine Bill spurs the market for solar by helping to lower upfront costs so the state can catch up on solar installations and job creation," the group said. The bill "puts the state on the path for steady growth in solar. It builds on existing, successful Maine policies like net-metering and the Renewable Portfolio Standard and recognizes the full value Maine receives from solar energy."
