AUGUSTA — Maine regulators can move ahead with plans to gradually provide fewer bill credits for new buyers of solar panels.
A House vote Tuesday killed a bill aiming to reduce the impact of the Maine Public Utilities Commission’s proposal to ramp down compensation for new solar-panel owners. Supporters said 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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