In 2019, Gov. Janet Mills signed into law three pieces of bipartisan legislation that promised to usher in a new era of clean energy leadership for our state.

In addition to reducing emissions and increasing renewable energy resources in Maine, these bills also supported the creation of new clean energy jobs to help spur economic growth in the transition to a lower carbon economy.

Today, Maine employs over 14,000 clean energy workers, with 45% of clean energy employers indicating that this number will grow tremendously over the next year. The solar industry in particular grew by 15% within the last year, and has experienced the second-largest increase in jobs between 2015 and 2021.

As proud Mainers who’ve worked in solar for over a decade, it’s been thrilling to watch Maine invest in solar energy production to help build a more sustainable future for its residents. The state has had a long history of reliance on our natural resources, and through expanding solar energy projects we’ve been able to protect our most critical resources while also growing the economy and creating valuable short- and long-term career options for people at every education level and skill set.

Our work in the solar industry revolves around advancing community solar projects, which allow any homeowner, renter or business to receive the solar benefits without having to install panels on their roof or property. Maine’s community solar projects are supported by the Net Energy Billing Program, which helps customers receive savings on their electricity bill through using energy generated by community solar farms.

While many are aware of the financial benefits associated with NEB (Maine customers save as much as 15% on their residential electric bills), the development of these community solar facilities has also brought in new jobs for Mainers — ranging from construction and operations to manufacturing and engineering. Even further, many of these solar facilities are getting built in rural and under-resourced areas, making the NEB program an integral source of job creation in areas that have historically been overlooked by other industries.

Unfortunately, the future of this program may be in jeopardy unless our representatives take action quickly. As this legislative session comes to a close, lawmakers are debating the future of the program, despite its role in expanding Maine-made solar and creating valuable jobs for all Mainers. Now is the time for the Legislature to act to strengthen our state’s commitment to cost-effective local solar and preserve the progress made toward securing Maine’s clean energy future.

Our representatives should vote yes on L.D. 1986, a bill that seeks to reform — not eliminate — the NEB program.

This bill addresses a wide range of recommendations presented by a broad stakeholder working group to create transparency around the costs and benefits of community solar projects and avoid violating existing contracts that would harm thousands of solar customers. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved, and ensures that workers across industries continue to have job security in Maine.

We’re proud to see the steps Maine has taken toward fulfilling its renewable energy goals, but we can’t afford to go backward.

In support of solar workers everywhere, we firmly believe that L.D. 1986 is the only way we can continue building on our progress toward becoming a national clean energy leader.

Conrad St. Pierre of South Berwick is vice president of the Nexamp Operations Center. Henry Barrett of Freeport is manager of business development with the company.