We applaud state Rep. Lloyd Herrick for voting April 14 in support of solar energy bill, LD 1649. The bill passed the Maine House by a vote of 91-56. Rep. Herrick was one of only 12 Republicans to support the bill.

We have spoken with Rep. Herrick about the bill and about how important it is to pass this bill to create more solar jobs and produce more renewable energy here in Maine.

Unfortunately, Gov. Paul LePage is expected to veto LD 1649, despite the fact that it would create hundreds of new jobs in Maine’s solar industry and reduce electric bills over time. To override the veto, two-thirds of the House and Senate need to vote to override. We urge Rep. Herrick to stick to his guns and vote to override the governor’s expected veto of LD 1649.

Rep. Herrick knows that LD 1649 would speed up solar installations in Maine during the next four years and create jobs. It is estimated that the increase in solar power would be about 200 megawatts — eight times the solar panels in Maine today.

This is a huge opportunity to move Maine’s economy forward and a big step toward a more sustainable electricity grid.

Maine is missing out on solar jobs because it lacks state policies to spur growth.

We thank Rep. Herrick for voting in support of LD 1649 and urge him to vote to override an anticipated veto by Gov. LePage.

Tony Giambro and Adam Baril, South Paris