Attempts to cancel net energy billing are based on the false claim that the solar program is responsible for increased electricity costs for Mainers. Those cost increases are primarily the result of the rising price of natural gas and storm recovery costs from last year’s devastating storms in January. In fact, according to Maine’s Public Utilities Commission, every dollar invested in net energy billing results in $1.29 in ratepayer benefits.

More than 100,000 Mainers currently have solar installations, providing clean energy to reduce carbon emissions and limit climate change. Those people purchased solar systems to reduce their carbon footprint with an understanding from the Legislature that they would be credited for the excess energy they provide to the grid. To cancel net energy billing would break the state’s contract with those Mainers. It would eliminate any of the financial benefit from the installation, adding an additional financial burden on those Mainers and unfairly penalizing them for their attempt to help mitigate the climate crisis.

Cancelling net energy billing would also eliminate any incentive to install solar energy systems. Residential and commercial solar projects would cease. This will likely result in a severely negative impact on the Maine economy with the loss of hundreds of good-paying jobs in the solar industry.

To cancel net energy billing completely would be an irresponsible step backward and away from our goal to reduce fossil fuel consumption.

Stephen Martin
Brunswick