By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent
What Happened:The Maine Legislature, for the second year in a row, failed to override Governor Paul LePage’s veto of LD 1444, which would have, you know, mitigated some of the horrible changes Maine’s Public Utilities Commission is making to net metering in the state.
- The governor, who has made destroying the solar industry in his state an unseemly crusade, wants to tax solar out of existence so, of course, he supports the draconian rules the PUC is imposing on Maine’s solar users.
- Thanks to six spineless legislators – who had initially said they would vote to override the veto before scurrying like rats to vote to sustain it – the value of all electricity produced by solar systems in the state have been slashed by 10%.
Here. Have a Maine Coon. I’m not polluting this page with more of Paul LePage’s mugshot.
SolarWakeup’s View: Why, Maine, Why?
I’m beginning to feel a bit like Charlie Brown with Lucy’s football when it comes to the state’s solar policy. In two consecutive sessions, the legislature has passed, overwhelmingly, legislation to build a stronger solar market. LePage, as Lepages will, has vetoed the bills both times. The legislature, working itself into high dudgeon, has promised to override it and save Maine’s solar consumers from the whims of a capricious ruler.
And then somehow, some way, several legislators wimp out and the override fails by two votes.
Two votes. Both times. Who are these lily-livered legislators?
Fortunately, the Natural Resources Council of Maine is keeping tabs:
The following legislators voted FOR LD 1444 when it passed, but voted AGAINST it after the governor vetoed the bill:
Rep. Stacey K. Guerin (R-Glenburn), Rep. Sheldon Mark Hanington (R-Lincoln) , Wayne R. Parry (R-Arundel) , Rep. Jeffrey K. Pierce (R-Dresden), Matthew G. Pouliot (R-Augusta) , Abden S. Simmons (R-Waldoboro).
Cowards all.
I gotta toss in with Dylan Voorhees, Climate and Clean Energy Director for the Council, who said in a release:
“Yet again, a small group of extreme legislators ignored the will of Maine people and strong bipartisan majorities in the Legislature. “Maine is in last place in the region for solar investment and solar power jobs and the rejection of this modest bill will drag Maine further behind, sacrificing, clean energy, jobs, and energy independence.”
In case you want to voice your displeasure with the vote, you can reach the above members at this number: 800-423-2900. Or you can email them at FirstName.LastName@legislature.maine.gov.
This whiplash dance has to stop. So let them know (respectfully) that you support the solar industry in Maine. Maybe next time they’ll remember that they don’t represent LePage – they represent YOU.
More:
Extremism by a few means extreme policies will remain in place