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Action Alert: Time to override the governor’s solar veto

Solar panels at Gilsland Farm
Solar panels at Gilsland Farm

We are *so close* to having a new solar power law. The full House and Senate enacted LD 1504 (with amendments) by overwhelming majorities. Today, as expected, it was vetoed by the Governor.

Please contact your legislators and urge them to override the veto of LD 1504. This solar bill is an important step towards fixing the broken, anti-solar PUC Rules and increasing the availability of community solar for all.

In its amended form, LD 1504:

  • Fixes one of the worst elements of the broken PUC solar rules by removing the tax on the solar you use at your house or business.
  • Dramatically increases the number of participants allowed in community solar projects (from 10 to 100).
  • Delays the phase-out of net metering until the PUC does a fact-based analysis of alternatives and impacts.

We cannot miss this chance! The PUC Rule will go into effect before the next legislative session if LD 1504 is not passed. That bad Rule increases costs for all electricity consumers in Maine–residents, businesses, and farms–by millions of dollars, and it threatens good solar jobs and future economic growth as well.

What You Can Do

1. Take a look at how your state legislators voted on LD 1504 (“Y” is a pro-solar vote):

2. Contact them! If they voted “N,” express your disappointment that they did not support the solar bill and ask them to reconsider their position and vote to override the veto. If they voted “Y,” thank them very much — and tell them it is very important that they hold their position and vote to OVERRIDE the veto!

3. Write a short note to your local newspaper with the same message, and reiterate why overriding the Governor’s veto is so important to Maine’s wildlife.

Evelyn deFrees, Maine Audubon Staff Advocate
Evelyn deFrees, Maine Audubon Staff Advocate

So many people and groups have worked for so long to bring this solar bill this far: supporters in both parties, solar installers, members of the business community, organizations working on energy, wildlife, public health, and many more. Yet, the utilities companies and their allies are still working in overdrive to defeat it.

Your voice has helped us get this far. You can make this happen by speaking out one more time!

Please tell your legislators–particularly House members–how much solar matters to you and your community. As always, thank you for your help and support!