In Support of LD 1686: An Act To Amend the Laws Regarding Distributed Energy Generation and To Eliminate Gross Metering

In Support of LD 1686: An Act To Amend the Laws Regarding Distributed Energy Generation
and To Eliminate Gross Metering

Senator Woodsome, Representative Berry and Distinguished Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology,

My name is Bonny Rodden and I am President of the Board of Directors of the Maine Council of Churches. I am here today to urge you to support LD #1686.

You must be so frustrated. Year after year you have worked together on legislation to promote solar energy while considering the needs of the ratepayers. You have consulted solar industry experts and solar energy users. You have compromised and compromised and won passage only to see your fellow legislators fail to overturn the Governor’s vetoes by a handful of votes.

We are very grateful for your persistence. To us in the faith community, it is absolutely imperative that we do everything we can to honor and protect God’s creation. That means moving to renewable energy, like solar power, and reducing energy consumption. Several churches in Maine have taken these steps on their own, at times at great cost, because of their moral conviction that it is the right thing to do.

It is disheartening to see Maine fall behind so many other states by energy policy that discourages solar power rather than promotes it. It is so short-sighted and injurious to our economy, our environment and your constituents. At least this bill would prevent the Public Utilities Commission from charging solar customers for the power they generate and consume at their residences or businesses. It would also encourage broader use of solar power through community solar farms.

I speak for nine denominations: Lutheran, Presbyterian, Quaker, Swedeborgian, Episcopal, Catholic, Methodist, Unitarian Universalist and the United Church of Christ. Among us we have 550 congregations.

We offer our prayers that God will give you the patience and courage to keep moving forward on solar energy on behalf of the people and the environment of Maine. Please vote OUGHT TO PASS on LD 1686.