By Associated Press - Tuesday, October 18, 2016

HALLOWELL, Maine (AP) - Mainers against the proposed elimination of financial incentives for homeowners that use solar panels have aired their grievances before the Maine Public Utilities Commission in Hallowell.

The Portland Press Herald reports (https://bit.ly/2eeiBGI ) scores of residents and small-business owners told the PUC on Monday that phasing out the incentives would negatively impact the growth of solar power in the state.

Opponents have called for the PUC to withdraw its proposal and allow legislators to continue to set solar policy.



The arrangement, known as net-energy billing or net metering, requires utilities to credit homeowners with solar power for the full retail price of electricity they send into the grid.

Patrick Woodcock, Gov. Paul LePage’s energy director, testified that the current financial incentives actually hurt other ratepayers.

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, https://www.pressherald.com

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