07.29.16
Gov.
Paul LePage of Maine (R) has proposed an end to the state`s
solar net metering program, according to Maine Public
Broadcasting.
LePages proposal includes a three-year grandfather period
that would allow residents who have installed solar panels to
recover some of their investment.
LePage wants to replace the states net metering program with
a market-based approach.
Dive Insight:
Maine is the latest state where the growth of solar power has
caused pushback on net metering policies.
In May lawmakers in Maine were not able to override Gov.
LePages veto of a bill that would have replaced retail rate net
metering for rooftop solar customers with a market-based
incentive program. Now the governor proposed an end to the
states net metering policies.
The proposal, which would to replace the net metering program
with a market based approach, was submitted to the Maine Public
Utilities Commission by
Patrick Woodcock, who directs the governors energy office.
Woodcock said the proposal would still compensate solar
owners for excess energy, but at rates that are closer to the
real-time value of electricity in the region.
The whole concept behind the comments from the governors
energy office is to move forward with a more market-based
approach,
Patrick Woodcock, director of the governors energy office, told
Maine Public Broadcasting.
The proposal drew rapid criticism from the solar power
industry with advocates saying the proposal would add to the
uncertainty about net meterings future in the state. They also
argue that the proposal ignores solar benefits such as reducing
energy demand at peak times.
The governors proposal is a crock of lies and misperceptions
and misinformation,
Steve Hinchman, the chief financial officer at ReVision energy,
told Maine Public Broadcasting.
The incentive plan, ordered by state legislators last year
after overidding another LePage veto, was designed to grow
Maines current 18 MW installed solar capacity to 196 MW by 2021
by supporting growth of most valuable solar opportunities in
each market segment. It was supported by the state`s
investor-owned utilities along with a group of solar companies
and environmental groups.
The solar industry's comments are idiotic. "The proposal drew rapid criticism from the solar power industry with advocates saying the proposal would add to the uncertainty about net meterings future in the state." It doesn't add uncertainty, it ends net metering and allows a grandfathering for only three years. Sounds certain that the door would close on net metering.
Contrary to Mr. Hinchman's comments, it seems like Governor LePage and the Energy Office are tired of the subsidy and over-market payment caused by net metering. No lies, misinformation, or misperception there!
Let's face it, low income folks and small users aren't investing in solar.
http://community.energycentral.com/news/maines-governor-proposes-end-net-metering
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[Editor: The low income folks and small users are exactly the customer base we support here in Arizona.]