A bill before the Legislature this session would set a goal for the state of reaching 40 megawatts of solar energy development by 2016 and 200 megawatts by 2020.
LD 1652, An Act To Support Solar Energy Development in Maine, aims to boost solar energy development in the state, and advocates say it will also strengthen the economy by creating jobs, protect the environment by reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and bring the state up to speed with the rest of New England, according to the Associated Press.
The bill itself states that: “Solar energy is an economically feasible, large-scale energy resource that does not rely on fossil fuel combustion and therefore it can displace energy provided by that source and reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions; there is an inexhaustible supply of solar energy throughout the state that can be effectively used for heat and electricity using current technology, and solar energy can be harnessed on large and small scales using simple or advanced technology; and solar energy may be used to displace electrical power that is generated from fossil fuel combustion and thus reduce our citizens’ dependence on imported oil and natural gas and improve environmental quality and state and regional energy security.”
Environmental advocates say the state is falling behind when it comes to solar power, according to AP reports.
“It is difficult to overstate the imperative to reduce our combustion of fossil fuels that is raising temperatures and sea-levels, increasing acidity in the oceans, threatening many sectors of our economy … and increasing diseases such as Lyme and West Nile,” said Dylan Voorhees, clean energy director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine in his testimony before the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee last week.
Gov. Paul LePage, however, said the state must utilize Maine’s “natural resources to lower heating and electricity costs for Mainers ”“ not just comply with New England’s environmental goals.” Patrick Woodcock, director of the Governor’s Energy Office, also said that while the administration agrees with the environmental goals of the bill, it believes the free market should determine the best form of energy to take the state there.
The pushback from the LePage administration, however, is unwarranted and unnecessary.
This bill would set a goal ”“ a benchmark ”“ not a requirement.
Developing solar power, and providing incentives for businesses and individuals to do so, is an important part of increasing the state’s use of renewable energy sources. While the state is doing some great work on wind power, it’s clear that the process is going to take a lot longer than hoped, with offshore wind still in the developmental stage. The state needs to move forward with developing other renewable energy sources ”“ including and beyond solar ”“ to ensure future generations will not be completely reliant upon fossil fuels.
The bill requires the state to seek opportunities to promote solar energy development, generation and manufacturing within existing programs, which may come through tax credits or other programs.
Such incentives could be modeled after the state’s current weatherization programs that help homeowners upgrade their properties to save money and energy. Efficiency Maine offers grants and low-interest loans to help homeowners make approved upgrades.
We hope the solar energy act will garner support in the Legislature and get off the ground through similar incentive programs following approval. The state would also be well served to implement solar energy arrays when possible on government buildings and projects in the future, to help meet the state’s goal and bring our energy resources on par with the region.
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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham Rousseau on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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