MAINE PUBLIC • May 23, 2025
A solar company has been fined almost $236,000 by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for polluting the Kennebec River during construction of a 5 megawatt array in Embden. Sediment runoff from a development by Tower Solar Partners LLC ran into the river from nearby Alder Stream, according to its agreement with the department. Erosion control measures were improperly installed and not maintained. The company spent more than $722,000 to remediate the impact of noncompliance, in addition to the state penalty. Tower Partners was purchased in 2022 by Luminace, a subsidiary of Brookfield Renewables.