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Residents urge town to explore community solar as electric bills climb
Summary
Two local business owners told the Select Board they help households lower electric bills via rooftop and community solar, arguing residents are paying into solar programs they don't directly access; the town manager noted local bills for a sample usage were higher than in Florida and said high electricity costs should be addressed.
During the public comment period on Jan. 27, two business owners, Thomas and his partner Max, urged town leaders to examine community and rooftop solar options to help residents with high electric bills.
Thomas said Maine residents face some of the country's highest electric bills and that a $15 monthly charge on local bills funds community solar and other solar projects. "Up in this left hand corner, there's a nice little green box ... that box indicates ... that you guys are paying $15 a month for solar," he said, arguing that many households pay for capacity they cannot directly use.
Max, who identified himself as Thomas's business partner and as a new local resident, said their company helps households access solar and asserted that many programs require no out-of-pocket cost for qualifying homeowners. He described community solar farms as resources that can lower bills for households that cannot install rooftop panels.
Town Manager Nick responded that, for one sample usage (467 kilowatt-hours), a Florida bill was about $83 while a comparable local bill through CMP was "$150 plus," and said residents here were paying roughly 83% more for the same usage. He emphasized that high electric costs are a challenge the town should consider.
The Select Board did not take immediate action but welcomed the comments and encouraged follow-up steps to provide residents with information about state or federal programs that might lower bills.
