The new plan to rein in the ‘runaway costs’ of Maine’s solar subsidies

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 9, 2025

Lawmakers have tweaked Maine’s controversial solar subsidy program several times since they launched in 2019, and they are divided over a bill expected to face votes in the next two weeks. The measure is drawing pushback from some solar firms and clean energy advocates who argue it will slash a program helping around 100,000 Mainers. But Rep. Sophie Warren, D-Scarborough, and Maine’s ratepayer advocate said it will protect small projects and ensure developers can still earn a fair return but limit steep rate hikes that Mainers have had to bear in recent years.