Maine regulators dismiss solar firm’s plan to become electric transmission utility

Maine utility regulators dismiss solar firm’s plan

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine utility regulators have dismissed a petition by a solar-power firm to become an electric transmission utility.

Grid Solar LLC proposes to meet future peak power needs in Maine with distributed solar and propane generation.

The Public Utilities Commission decided Monday that Grid Solar is a generation facility, not a transmission and distribution utility.

PUC Chair Sharon Reishus said the commission’s decision is not a judgment on the merits of commercial-scale solar power, or Grid Solar’s role in a separate case over a proposed Central Maine Power transmission line. Grid Solar opposes that $1.5 billion project.