Mainers and their businesses are paying big bucks to the solar/wind industry
Don't blame the electric companies; it's the Legislature's fault
Isn't it strange that more solar farms are being built, but electricity rates keep increasing?
Not if you understand how the Maine Legislature has "restructured" electric utilities, removing the power companies' ability to generate electricity, and turning the electric companies into collection agencies for the solar/wind industry.
In 2000, the Restructuring Act (35-A MRSA, ch. 32) took Maine's electric utilities out of the generation business and required them to sell their various generation assets. It would be interesting to know who benefitted from this restructuring. Could there be some connection to certain legislators who have invested in these newly formed generating companies?
In 2023, the Maine electrical energy generation mix was 29.4% natural gas, 26.9% hydroelectric, 21.6% wind, 13.7% biomass, 5.1% solar, 0.6% petroleum, 0.4% coal, and 2.5% other.
Stranded Costs
"Through February 2024, net energy billing will make up $94.6 million of the $95.2 million in stranded costs." - PUC Chair Philip Bartlett
Simple math shows that Net Energy Billing is 99% of stranded costs.
Net Energy Billing is a subsidy (government-mandated payout) for the solar/wind industry. Maine taxpayers and electricity consumers are paying for it.
Public Policy Charges... are we getting double billed?
From the Versant Billing Terminology section printed on the back of the Versant bill:
Recent reports show that the Public Policy Charge, which is $11.64 on residential bills, hits businesses and non-profits in Maine especially hard. Some small businesses plan to close rather than continue paying the charges, which can range into thousands of dollars.
Jim LaBrecque, CMS at FlexWare Control Technology, calls the bill creating the Public Policy Charge (LD1711, 129th Legislature) unconstitutional and recommends its repeal.
This funding never “trickles down” to lower electricity rates. It only benefits the solar/wind industry, successfully turning the government into its cash cow
300 plus energy bills
Over three hundred energy-related bills have been passed into law in Maine since the 1970s. Most of them were promoted as cost-saving measures that would benefit the consumer.
However, actual rates have increased until Maine is near the top of the list for the highest rates.
Who gets the money?
Jim LaBrecque says out-of-state and foreign companies are building solar/wind projects in Maine and benefitting from the legislated largesse of the people of Maine. The taxpayers and electricity consumers are footing the bill to give the solar/wind lobbyists legislatively approved funding.
Maine's Energy Providers
Taxpayers and electric ratepayers in Maine are subsidizing the solar/wind industries, and it has yet to be proven that they deserve those subsidies.