American Clean Power Association Statement on creation of Northern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program

WASHINGTON DC, June 29, 2021 – The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released the following statement today after Maine Governor Janet Mills signed LD 1710 – “An Act to Require Prompt and Effective Use of the Renewable Energy Resources of Northern Maine” into law:

“Today, Maine took a major step forward in harnessing their homegrown renewable energy resources by enacting LD 1710. The American Clean Power Association applauds Senate President Troy Jackson who led the effort to unleash the powerful renewable resources in northern Maine. His bill, LD 1710, garnered strong bipartisan support and was signed into law today by Governor Janet Mills.

This common-sense legislation will remove obstacles to renewable energy projects by creating the Northern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program. By planning for transmission and renewable energy generation in tandem, this new law will unleash economic development and job creation efforts while helping Maine meets its climate goals in a cost-effective manner.

ACP testified in favor of this legislation to help promote the development of renewable energy resources in the state and to connect them to the wider New England power grid. ACP also undertook a detailed analysis which concluded that LD 1710 would generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity while creating hundreds of jobs in Maine.

This action by Gov. Mills is another important step to deploying carbon-free energy to meet important climate goals and carbon emission reduction targets set by the Biden administration over the course of the next decade. If enacted into law, the various federal infrastructure bills under consideration in Washington will significantly lower the cost of building new renewable generation and transmission in northern Maine.”  –Andrew Gohn, Director Eastern State Affairs, American Clean Power Association.