AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine regulators can move ahead on plans to gradually provide fewer bill credits for new buyers of solar panels.
A House vote Tuesday killed a bill aiming to lessen the impact of the Maine Public Utilities Commission’s proposal to ramp down compensation for new solar panel owners. Supporters say the bill would prohibit regulators from charging solar customers a fee for generated power used in homes or businesses.
The House’s 96-50 vote wasn’t enough to override Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s veto. The Senate recently overrode the veto.
Solar installers say the regulations would dissuade residents and small businesses from installing panels. A lawsuit claiming the regulations amount to a new tax is pending in state court.
LePage has said utility regulators should have gotten rid of financial incentives altogether.
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