BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 24, 2021
A bill approved by the Maine Legislature aims to control the number of medium-sized solar projects and avoid a further flood of electricity into the grid, but it also could raise electricity distribution rates by up to 30 percent. The measure, which was passed on Friday and is now on Gov. Janet Mills’ desk, would amend state laws around buying power and “net energy billing” incentives, which give small- and medium-sized solar generators credits for the excess power they supply to the grid. Bill opponents disagree that it will curtail projects significantly and argue the market will be flooded with expensive solar power and drive up distribution rates for electricity customers.