Maine Senate upholds LePage veto of solar rebate bill

AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate has failed to muster enough support to revive a bill that would have restored a program that provides rebates for residents who install solar panels.

In a 22-13 vote on Wednesday, the bill fell two votes short of the two-thirds majority support it needed to overturn Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s veto. The House voted to override the veto on Tuesday.

The measure, which environmental groups lobbied heavily for this session, would have provided $1 million for the program until 2016. It also would have allowed the funds to be used to help low-income residents buy heat pumps.

LePage and GOP lawmakers objected to the bill because it would’ve added 60 cents a year to residents’ electric bills.

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