URGENT: RENEWABLE ENERGY BILL VOTE ANY DAY
This is an urgent request. We all know electricity prices are too high and that every additional dollar Maine families have to spend on energy is one they can’t spend somewhere else in our economy, save for retirement or use to take care of their families.
For years unrealistic energy mandates have been allowed to benefit a very narrow group of electricity generators in Maine. Larger electricity generators such as hydro-electric production has been denied status as a “renewable” so that a few special interests in Augusta could avoid competing with all renewable energy sources. Ultimately, the people of Maine have paid the price – through higher rates and a less vibrant economy – to pad the pockets of special interest groups.
We agree with Governor LePage when it comes to these special interest energy groups; enough is enough!
The people of Maine shouldn’t be denied the ability to purchase low cost, renewable hydro-electricity just because a few special interests have controlled the way past legislatures and Governors wrote our energy laws.
Hydro is renewable. It is clean. It is much lower cost than other sources of energy.
We can level the playing field for all energy producers if we can pass the minority report on L.D. 1863.
L.D. 1863 removes the 100 MW cap on renewable generation. It levels the playing field for all sources. Wind can currently be greater than 100 MW and qualify as a renewable. The same standard should apply to all. It opens up opportunities for lower cost electricity for Maine people and job creators.
We know the special interest energy groups and environmentalists oppose this bill, but let’s be clear – unless you work for them or an energy company that doesn’t want to compete or maybe if you want your electricity bill to be even higher than it is now – there is no reason to oppose this bill.
L.D. 1863 comes out of committee with a majority amendment that does not remove the restrictive 100MW cap and simply preserves the staus quo for the special interest groups. Yes, the committee is comprised of some of the same people who created Maine’s ridiculous mandates to begin with, but there is hope.
Senator Mike Thibodeau, and four other members of the energy committee are supporting the minority ought to pass report and we can pass this bill over the top of the handful of energy committee members who have sided with the special interest groups over Maine people.
Here is what you can do: CALL the Maine Senate message line at (800) 423-6900 and the Maine House message line at (800) 423-2900 immediately. Tell both your Senator and Representative to support the minority report on L.D. 1863, or simply tell them to stand with Senator Mike Thibodeau on renewable energy. We need the people of Maine to fill the phone lines in Augusta up with calls supporting Senator Thibodeau and Governor LePage on L.D. 1863.
Again, please CALL the Maine Senate message line at (800) 423-6900 and the Maine House message line at (800) 423-2900 immediately. Tell your Senator and House Rep to support the minority report on L.D. 1863, or simply tell them to stand with Senator Mike Thibodeau and Governor LePage on renewable energy.
This is not a conservative vs. liberal or a Democratic vs. Republican issue. This is an issue which will call upon your elected officials in Augusta to either stand with the people of Maine to lower energy costs and create a level playing field for all energy producers, or to stand with the special interest groups that demand special treatment while driving Maine’s energy prices through the roof.
Please act now. L.D. 1863 could be voted on any day.
CALL the Maine Senate message line at (800) 423-6900 and Maine House message line at (800) 423-2900 immediately. Tell both your Senator and Representative to support the minority report on L.D. 1863, or simply tell them to stand with Senator Mike Thibodeau and Governor LePage on renewable energy.
Last, please share this page with your friends that would like to see Maine’s electricity rates lowered with more access to low cost, clean, renewable hydro-electricity.
