Editor,

As State Representative Don Marean returns to Augusta this January to make decisions about solar energy, I’d like to thank him for supporting solar power last summer by voting to overturn the flawed Public Utilities Commission rule.

Using the power of the sun that shines on Maine homes and businesses—and putting Mainers to work installing solar panels—seems like common sense.

But this rule, going into effect in 2018, is backwards and unfair because it will charge new solar customers a new fee for simply using the electricity they are creating.

Implementing the rule will cost all Mainers millions of dollars, raising their electricity rates to pay for unnecessary equipment. The rule is costly, ridiculous on principle alone, and is the wrong direction for Maine to go, which is why I’m so grateful that Representative Marean is working on behalf of me and my neighbors in Hollis to oppose this rule.

Maine needs to embrace a transition to clean energy and the jobs it can create here in Maine. I hope that Representative Marean will continue to stand strong in the face of pressure from the governor and Central Maine Power and maintain their support for any similar legislation that is proposed in 2018.

Sarah Tenney

Hollis, Maine