AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives advanced a bill Tuesday to create the Maine Generation Authority (MGA), sponsored by Rep. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth.
Maine statute requires that the state's greenhouse gas emissions must be 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. In order to meet this requirement, most of Maine's energy use must transition to electricity generated by renewable resources. LD 1634 was introduced to help Maine meet this requirement at the lowest cost possible for Maine people.
The MGA, modeled off of the Maine Turnpike Authority, would issue low-cost bonds, backed by electricity sales, to finance new large-scale renewable energy generation and storage projects. The private sector will continue to develop, construct and maintain these projects in Maine, as well as others not financed by the MGA. The bill is informed by research conducted by economist Dr. Richard Silkman.
"It is clear that we have little choice but to decarbonize our economy if we are to meet our climate goals," said Grohoski. "The Maine Generation Authority is the sole proposal in front of this Legislature that will ensure that we transition to renewable energy generation and complementary storage without costing Maine people and businesses more than they are currently paying for energy."
"Myself and other young climate activists at Maine Youth Action are glad that the House did the right thing in supporting this critical climate justice bill that will accelerate affordable renewable energy and support access to energy for low-income Mainers," said Anna Siegel of Maine Youth Action. "I hope that the Senate will similarly advance LD 1634 so the vision of the Maine Generation Authority can be actualized."
Grohoski, a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology, is serving her second term in the Maine House of Representatives. She represents the communities of Ellsworth and Trenton.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Grohoski], c. 812-1111