AUGUSTA, Maine - A group of environmental advocates are urging lawmakers to support measures aimed at expanding solar power and making homes more energy efficient.
The six-bill package outlined by the Environmental Priorities Coalition on Thursday includes measures that provide incentives to increase solar power in the state and a $30 million bond to help families pay for upgrades like insulation and heat pumps to lower their heating bills.
Another bill would add several species to the endangered list, including the black-crowned night heron, little brown bat and Northern long-eared bat.
Republican Gov. Paul LePage clashed with environmental groups last year over their efforts to expand solar power. The governor believes it remains too expensive and that the state needs to focus on things like expanding natural gas infrastructure to lower energy prices.