AUGUSTA - Gov. Janet Mills signed legislation making the Maine Green Power initiative permanent last week. The program allows electricity customers to voluntarily pay slightly more in their electricity bills to ensure their energy supply is purchased from Maine-generated renewable energy.
Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, House chair of the Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, originally sponsored the bill during the 129th Legislature to save the popular program before its scheduled April 1, 2021 expiration date but had to try again following last years early adjournment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Many Maine consumers want a greener choice for their electricity and are willing to pay a little more for it," said Berry. "The 'green standard offer' is a way of making that choice easy. This is a proven, purely voluntary program that supports community renewables, and Im grateful we were able to give it new life."
The Legislature passed LD 314 on March 30, and the law is scheduled to go into effect by June 29. While Maine Green Power wont be able to accept new participants until then, Maines Public Utilities Commission, which sponsors the program, worked to ensure there will be no interruption for the more than 4,300 Maine people and businesses who already use it.
Berry represents House District 55: Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Swan Island and most of Richmond. He previously served from 2006-2014, the final two years as House majority leader, and returned to the House in 2016.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Berry], c .812-1111