The Maine House on Wednesday approved an amended version of a solar energy bill that supporters say will create hundreds of new clean-energy jobs and reduce energy costs for nonsolar consumers.
The 91-56 vote falls 10 short of the two-thirds support needed to fend off a certain veto by Gov. Paul LePage, but Rep. Jennifer DeChant, a Bath Democrat, said the need for more jobs in Maine should trump any ideological arguments against solar power.
“We want our sons and daughters to be able to stay in Maine and find good jobs, we agree that we need to keep and attract young workers and have a healthy economy,” DeChant said. “Technology and trade jobs in the solar industry are very important to providing opportunities in which to do so.”
House Republican Leader Ken Fredette of Newport echoed many of the governor’s arguments against the bill.
“I will not support a bill that is largely geared towards a few people at the top income brackets and that is paid for in rural Maine, which tends to have less income,” Fredette said.
The bill was enacted without a recorded vote in the House and faces additional votes in the Senate.