Dear Editor:

In Augusta, solar policy is being discussed, but the LePage administration is raging a war on solar. Apparently the governor doesn’t understand the advantages of renewable energy, its employment opportunities, nor does he trust his appointed public advocate, who has projected that this new legislation will save Maine’s electric ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars. This new legislature was crafted by consensus with Freeport’s Representative Sarah Gideon, the solar industry, the public advocate, the electric utilities and the group even had a representative from the governor’s energy office.

The U.S. Dept. of Energy National Renewable Energy Lab and the Dept. of Labor believe this policy could increase the state’s solar workforce from about 325 people by an additional 800 jobs in the next 5 or 6 years, while reducing the risk of electric rate volatility and the need for more fossil fuel combustion for the next 20 years.

Nationwide, the solar industry has been growing at rate that’s about 15 times the average job growth rate. This year, nationwide, it is projected that 119 percent more installed solar wattage will be installed than was done in 2015, which was also a record breaking year doubling the 2014 installations. Unfortunately, Maine has been missing out on this job growth, due to being the only state in the northeast that does not have incentive that support solar installations. Maine is in the back of the pack in installed solar wattage per person. Vermont has 10 times the installed solar per person, and Massachusetts has 12 times the amount per person than Maine. They also are enjoying all of the advantages of the job creation and the sales revenue economic multiplier effect from this stimulation.

The governor’s Energy Office is attempting to torpedo this important solar legislation and is promoting misinformation because of LePage’s prejudices against solar energy. They want to let the PUC’s new commissioners make solar electric systems less economically attractive for Mainers. Please let your local state representatives be aware of your support for solar industry and not lose more good solar jobs in Maine. The new bipartisan, proposed legislation will lower electric rates, create good jobs and improve the environment. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

Michael J. Mayhew, PE

President, Heliotropic Technologies

Boothbay Harbor