PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - The Portland City Council will discuss joining other large-scale energy users to encourage the construction of solar farms across Maine.
The council is expected to vote Wednesday on whether to allow the city manager to join the consortium and commit to purchasing electricity from it in the future, the Portland Press Herald reported.
The consortium, assembled by the Portland-based Competitive Energy Services, includes L.L. Bean, the University of Maine System, and Nestle Waters.
Troy Moon, the city’s sustainability coordinator, said the city could save an estimated $500,000 a year in energy costs after the arrays are developed.
“It’s one of those great opportunities where the taxpayers can save money by reducing utility costs, while taking a step towards meeting our sustainability goals,” Moon said.
Moon said that the city will not be responsible for start-up costs and that it could take 2 1/2 years before the city sees full savings.
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