AUGUSTA — A bill to make heat pumps more affordable to Mainers has been approved by the Legislature, and now goes to Gov. Paul LePage.
The bill, LD 1558, won overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers. The House of Representatives approved the measure 109-35 last week, and the Senate unanimously passed the bill.
Heat pumps, which are powered by electricity, have become a more popular and affordable option in Maine in recent years as a heating and cooling source. However, the cost of each unit – about $4,000 – is out of reach for many.
“Affordable heating is an emergency issue for lowincome Mainers, and heat pumps are one of the most efficient means to produce energy for heating,” the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Martin Grohman, DBiddeford, said last week.
Under the bill, consumers don’t have to buy the pump outright. Instead, they can pay for it through a monthly equipment charge to a utility provider, similar to arrangements for a cable box.
“You could think of it like a lease with an option to buy,” said Grohman.
Although the bill doesn’t mandate that utility companies participate in the program, it allows them to do so. That’s something they would not be able to do without this legislation, according to the House Democratic Office.
Grohman is hopeful Central Maine Power will make heat pumps available to residents and small business owners throughout much of the state, including southern Maine.
The bill is intended to benefit low-income residents; however, “there are no specific income guidelines,” Grohman said. “It isn’t limited to a specific population.”
He said renters and small businesses would probably benefit the most. “There are plenty of small businesses struggling to pay their heating bills,” Grohman said.
According to the bill, utilities would own the heat pumps – at least initially – and could charge customers for associated costs. To make the heat pumps more affordable, they could provide incentives for using the equipment. The utilities must also provide a customer with an option to buy the pump.
In addition, the bill requires that by participating in the program, a customer’s overall energy costs decrease.
An added benefit of the bill is that it could be an economic driver to small businesses who already install heat pumps. By providing a more affordable option for using heat pumps, these companies could get more customers. The bill “is meant to drive business to (installers),” said Grohman.
To participate in the program, consumers should contact companies in their area that can survey their heating needs. If a heat pump is recommended, they should call their utility to see if they offer the program.
The more people ask for the program, the more likely it is that utility companies will offer it, Grohman said.
The bill now moves to the governor, who has 10 days to sign it, veto it, or let it pass without his signature.
Because of the strong support by Republican lawmakers, Grohman said, “I don’t anticipate a veto.”
If it becomes law, the measure will have to go through the Public Utilities Commission’s rule-making process.
“I sure hope it will be ready for next heating season,” Grohman said.
— Associate Editor Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282- 1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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