I write to express my deep disappointment in my state representative, Paul Chace, for voting against a bi-partisan solar energy bill in Augusta that would have created jobs and given a boost to Maine’s solar energy industry. Mind you, there are three solar energy companies in Chace’s district who were counting on his vote.

On Friday, April 29, legislators in Augusta tried to override Gov. LePage’s veto of L.D. 1649. If passed, L.D. 1649 would have created 650 new jobs in Maine’s solar energy industry, increased the amount of electricity Maine gets from solar panels tenfold, and reduced electricity rates over time. Despite all of this, Gov. LePage vetoed the bill.

After much debate, Rep. Chace sided with Gov. LePage and voted against the bill. The veto was sustained as the final vote was 93-50, which fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto .

I am deeply disappointed in Rep. Chace’s vote because it puts Maine’s solar future and hundreds of existing solar jobs at risk. Maine is in last place regionally on solar and his vote prevented us from moving forward. Instead of supporting a well-developed compromise bill that creates good jobs for Maine people, he voted in support of LePage’s failed, divisive rhetoric. If Maine’s LePage-appointed PUC does as we fear and rolls back net-metering at the cost of good Maine jobs, that will be a direct result of Rep. Chace’s vote.

Rep. Chace had a chance to create new jobs in Maine while also helping the environment. Instead, he decided to fall in line behind a governor who far out of step with the majority of Mainers.

Nancy L. Gilbert

Durham