Sen. Vitelli introduces bill to increase Maine’s use of renewable energy

AUGUSTA — On Tuesday, Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, introduced a bill to increase Maine’s use of renewable energy sources. This advances work that Sen. Vitelli has sponsored and championed since the 129th Legislature. LD 1830, “An Act to Advance Maine’s Clean Energy Goals,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.

“This bill builds on the important progress we’ve made in the last several years in growing Maine’s renewable energy sources. We know that this is a tried and true approach to securing more cost-effective clean energy to benefit all Maine consumers,” said Sen. Vitelli. “When I first introduced LD 1494, Gov. Mills had just formed the Climate Council. Now we have strong direction from the Maine Won’t Wait report. We have a strong Governor’s Energy Office. We have more information than ever before about the threats posed by climate change, and the actions we must take to reduce or mitigate those threats.”

In the 129th Legislature, Sen. Vitelli sponsored LD 1494, which set in statute the requirement that 80% of Maine’s electricity come from renewable resources by 2030, with a goal of 100% by 2050. As highlighted by the Renewable Energy Goals Market Assessment, additional clean energy sources are required to meet these goals.

LD 1830 has three intersecting goals: to advance Maine’s clean energy development; to ensure benefits to ratepayers; and to make use of PFAS-contaminated lands.

“Competitive procurement is a common-sense, low-risk strategy for getting renewable energy built in Maine. This is a long-standing and core component of Maine’s effort to diversify and decarbonize its energy sector,” said Rebecca Schultz with the Natural Resources Council of Maine. “We should continue to rely on this proven approach in the near-term to maintain momentum and keep pace with our renewable energy requirements as we move forward in electrifying buildings and transportation.”

LD 1830 would require the Governor’s Energy Office, in consultation with the Public Utilities Commission, to increase renewable energy.

The bill directs the commission to select only projects the commission finds will benefit ratepayers. Bid prices must be less than the then-current standard-offer service rate, ensuring Mainers energy costs will diminish. It would also incentivize energy production on lands contaminated with “forever chemicals” like PFAS.

LD 1830 faces further action in committee.