TIMES RECORD • June 29, 2023
One of Sen. Stacy Brenner’s bills, L.D. 1591, overlapped almost perfectly with my bill, L.D. 1830. We combined the bills into L.D. 1591, which now has three intersecting goals: to advance Maine’s clean energy development; to ensure benefits to ratepayers; and to make use of PFAS-contaminated lands. The bill would promote the economic reuse of contaminated land, including farmland impacted by PFAS contamination, through renewable energy projects that guarantee ratepayer savings. This proposal leverages federal opportunities, such as the Inflation Reduction Act. These operations would also be eligible for energy storage, which is a critical part of our renewable energy strategy. L.D. 1591 has received unanimous approval in both the House and Senate. It’s now on the Governor’s desk. ~ Sen. Eloise Vitelli