I thank Senator Dana Dow and Representative Abden Simmons for their bipartisan support of LD 1444 in this year’s legislative session.  I appreciate their decision to vote in favor not only of LD1444 but also in support of overriding Governor Paul LePage’s expected veto of that legislation.

LD1444 will prevent electric utility companies like CMP from charging Mainers a tax on solar power they create and use in their own homes or businesses.  That would be just like taxing people for wood they harvest, cut and split on their own property to heat their homes.  LD1444 also increases the number of participants that can benefit from a single solar project.   

If LD 1444 does not become law, ALL of CMP’s customers, whether or not they have solar panels, will pay higher electricity bills to defray the cost of new meters to measure solar production. If LD 1444 does not become law, municipalities and others will not be able to take full advantage of solar projects to lower their energy bills.

Last April the Town of Waldoboro took steps to begin construction of a 110-kilowatt solar installation at the Waldoboro land fill.  The new system is now in operation, and Waldoboro is already benefitting from lower electricity costs for its municipal buildings.

Solar energy must become an even more important part of Maine’s future energy mix.  Solar projects provide new jobs, reduce Maine’s carbon footprint, reduce the need for costly power distribution networks, and serve as a strong example of the importance of solar energy to the many non-Mainers who visit the state.

Again, thanks to Senator Dow and Representative Simmons for supporting LD 1444, and for overriding Governor LePage’s expected veto.

Bob Butler lives in Waldoboro