Senate supports Vitelli bill to boost clean energy jobs and advance energy independence

Legislation from Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, to increase investment in local clean energy projects and jobs was endorsed in the Maine Senate on Tuesday by a bipartisan 34-0 vote.

LD 1494, “An Act To Reform Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard,” would expand Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by increasing the proportion of electricity sold in Maine that comes from renewable sources from 40 percent today to 80 percent by 2030, a target also supported by Gov. Janet Mills.

“Reducing carbon emissions is vital for us to be able to address climate change in a big, systemic way,” said Sen. Vitelli. “LD 1494 will ensure that a greater percentage of our power comes from renewable sources, shrinking our carbon footprint and reducing the harmful pollutants that we spew into our environment today.”

Specifically, LD 1494 requires Maine to use 80 percent renewables by 2030 by incrementally increasing the requirement over the next 10 years.

LD 1494 also would increase investments in new sources of renewable energy by requiring the Maine Public Utilities Commission to issue at least two requests for proposals for long-term (20 years) procurement contracts. Finally, the bill requires a comprehensive study of the RPS system by the governor’s energy director, with a report back to the legislature in 2021 with specific recommendations on how to better transition our state to clean, renewable energy.

Climate change is already impacting Maine. The average temperature has risen 3 degrees Fahrenheit in Maine since the beginning of the 20th century, and winter temperatures have increased twice as fast as summer temperatures. It is predicted that sea levels will rise between 1 and 4 feet along the Maine coast by 2100.

LD 1494 now faces further votes in the Maine Senate and House.