House advances fixes to community solar, drawing debate over costs to ratepayers

The Maine House passed committee amendments to LD 19 66 on a divided floor, moving the bill to the Senate after a roll‑call vote.

Representative Ipsen Sacks (Freeport), speaking for the majority report, said the measure includes technical fixes to interconnection and billing that will help customers and utilities alike and implements “the last two missing links” needed to require utility participation and comprehensive outreach. He said the bill was developed in consultation with Efficiency Maine Trust and other stakeholders and urged colleagues to support the motion.

Opponents said the changes could increase costs for ratepayers. Representative Foster (Dexter) urged members to accept the minority report and called the amendment an unnecessary expansion that could add “upwards of $200,000,000 a year” to bills. Representative McIntyre (Lowell) read written testimony from the Natural Resources Council of Maine to argue the panel had not shown that the proposal avoids unnecessary duplication of existing programs and tools.

Other supporters countered that LD 19 66 corrects unintended consequences from last session’s net energy billing reforms that threatened community‑solar subscribers and that the bill requires improved, itemized invoicing and clearer definitions so customers can understand charges on their bills. Representative Warren (Scarborough) said the PUC temporarily paused enforcement while the Legislature works to resolve the issue and framed the bill as protecting Mainers who invested in local renewable projects.

By the end of the debate the House approved the committee majority motion; the clerk announced a recorded tally and the bill was ordered sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Next steps: LD 19 66 will be transmitted to the Senate, where it will receive further consideration and any amendments made during the bicameral process.