Solar energy rebates advance in Maine

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http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2014-03-21/solar-energy-rebates-advance-in-maine

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine residents would again have access to rebates for solar power systems on their homes under a measure endorsed by the state Senate on Thursday, but Republican Gov. Paul LePage continues to fiercely fight any proposal that raises Mainer's utility bills.

The solar bill, which faces final votes in the House and Senate, seeks to re-establish a rebate program that ended last year and would be paid for by adding roughly 60 cents a year to Mainer's electric bills. Someone could get about $2,000 toward a roughly $15,000 solar power system through the rebate program, said Dylan Voorhees, clean energy director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

Environmental groups are strongly pushing solar power measures this session, which they view as vital to ensuring a strong industry in Maine. But LePage, who says he opposes the idea of picking "winners and losers" in energy, blamed environmentalists Thursday for policies he says hurt the state's business climate.

"I think that we ... need to understand that energy costs are our salvation and we ought to be all working in the same direction," LePage said at the Energy and Technology Council of Maine's forum.

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