The future of solar power in Maine is before the Legislature, in the form of two bills that address funding and promotion of this energy source.
LD 1252, An Act to Improve Maine’s Energy Security and Economy with Solar Energy, would simply extend the expired Solar Rebate Program for the purchase of wind and solar energy equipment. Among other provisions, it would also require the state to agree to purchasing a certain amount of solar energy.
The rebate program was administered through Efficiency Maine and set aside $1 million to help homeowners and business owners install solar panels. When funding for the rebates was cut in 2013, Maine was left as the only Northeast state without a program to promote solar energy. If LD 1252 passes, it would re-instate the program at the same rate, until the end of 2016, when the federal solar tax credit also expires.
We support this bill, not only on its merits to promote clean energy, but also because the rebate program does not require a significant tax increase. The $1 million would be spread out amongst all electricity ratepayers, and according to the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the cost of funding the rebate program comes to about 60 cents per year for the average homeowner, assuming they spend about $1,000 on electricity. That’s less than the cost of one candy bar or coffee, per year. Certainly, it’s something ratepayers can afford to support, and the bill includes language to exempt businesses and other high-capacity electricity users.
With $1 million in the coffers, about 1,200 properties will be able to install rooftop solar power panels, the NRCM estimates. Little by little, increasing our use of renewable, clean energy is going to help keep our environment clean and livable.
We are all well aware that fossil fuels are finite, and their extraction is often complicated by environmental damage and political turmoil. While we will undoubtedly continue to depend on coal, gas and oil for our energy needs well into the foreseeable future, it makes sense on many levels to embrace new energy technology, too.
Solar is a growing industry, now employing 250 people in Maine, and the rebate program’s support for the installation of solar and wind energy equipment helps keep clean energy outfits in business. If Maine does not continue to embrace this new wave of clean energy, the state will be left behind in job creation as our neighboring states take the lead in this young industry.
Solar has long been dismissed as too expensive, but the industry is expanding swiftly and the cost of solar panel installation has dropped 75 percent in the past five years, according to the NRCM. When we look at the per-unit price, however, even if solar is more expensive, it’s worth counting the environmental costs associated with less expensive energy sources.
The second bill before the Legislature, LD 1652, creates the Maine Solar Energy Act, which takes a wider view to the state’s approach of embracing clean, renewable energy by requiring monitoring, promotion and setting goals for solar energy generation. This bill lays the important groundwork for how Maine should approach solar energy, and we believe it will work hand in hand with the rebate program.
Clean energy sources also have a much wider impact, of reducing the myriad of negative consequences for our environment caused by our most familiar and older sources of power. Think of the damage and death caused by runaway oil trains and spills, the air pollution released by the burning of coal and wood, the infrastructure cost of running lines for natural gas ”“ and the potential for explosions with various gases used for home heating and energy. All of these side effects of the energy sources on which we have come to depend must be considered when compared to solar power ”“ the greatest of which being our personal and environmental health.
Pollution of our air, water and land is a real concern, and much of it can be directly linked to our growing demand for electricity, heat and transportation. With the world’s population ever-expanding and becoming more industrialized, it is paramount that we take steps to promote cleaner energy sources. Maine is known for its pristine natural beauty; without it, not only will the people, plants and animals of the state suffer physically, but so will the significant sectors of our economy that depend on tourism and harvesting.
That’s worth way more than 60 cents a year.
Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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