Dear Editor,
When stakeholders from both the private and public
sector, large and small business, Republicans, Democrats, environmental groups,
CMP, Emera, the Public Advocate and others work for a year and come up with a
bill that they all agree on, we should support that bill. LD 1649, the Solar
Bill, is such a bill.
It is a jobs bill. LD 1649 could bring 800 new jobs to
Maine. It is an environmental bill, solar energy is good for the planet. It is
an economic development bill and an energy bill, with the potential to lower
electricity costs for many.
I grew up in a home in the 70s and 80s with one of the
few solar installations in our town. Back then solar electricity wasn’t close
to being an option in New England, but heat and hot water were. It took an
engineering degree (dad worked on nuclear submarines so he was qualified) to be
able to run a solar heat and hot water system. We were warm and had nice hot
water, though winter mornings were a little cool for a high school kid. Solar
technology has come a long way since then, it’s less expensive, easier to
install and photovoltaic electricity works in Maine!
With the passage of this bill schools, businesses and
government buildings could find it easier to install solar panels and save
money on their energy bills. Homeowners could continue to produce their own
energy and to export and be compensated for the excess energy they produce.
If we are thinking about this bill merely as a fight
about “solar energy” then we are thinking small. Solar energy is more than a
renewable energy source. It is a tool for Maine people, Maine’s future and
Maine’s economy. It is an easy way to choose to grow good paying, skilled jobs
for Maine people.
Please contact your representatives and let them know you
support solar for Maine.
Jessica Fay
Raymond
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