BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 15, 2023
Solar energy in Maine has grown sevenfold in the last few years. This tremendous growth has saved towns, school districts and local businesses money on their electric bills and added hundreds of jobs to Maine’s economy. The solar industry has also shouldered tens of millions of dollars in upgrades to Maine’s electric grid. This enormous success hasn’t happened without growing pains, but going backward on solar energy is not a solution to high electricity costs. First, the utilities commission needs to continue to scrutinize the numbers that the utilities put forth to justify rate increases. Second, we need more low-cost, home-grown, large-scale solar. Third, we need to build a better, smarter program for small- and medium-sized solar projects. LD 1986 and LD 1591 will help us continue momentum toward a clean energy transition for Maine. ~ Rebecca Schultz, Natural Resources Council of Maine