The Maine Senate GOP unanimously opposed the reappointment of Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Chair Philip Bartlett on Tuesday, citing his suspicious dealings with solar companies and soaring energy costs under his leadership.

“Ratepayers and businesses are going to continue to suffer because of Chairman Bartlett’s refusal to acknowledge that massive solar companies are driving up energy costs,” said Senate Republican Leader Trey Stewart (R–Aroostook).

The Senate Republicans issued a press release discussing the vote and explaining the role of the PUC to ensure reliable and safe energy for Mainers at a just and reasonable price.

They accused Bartlett, the Maine Senate Majority Leader from 2008-2010, of failing in those duties, citing a massive $52.90 increase in the average electricity bill for Mainers under Bartlett’s leadership as solar developers’ profits have grown. The state and PUC have worked to push for so-called “renewable” energy sources such as solar and wind power at the expense of affordable power for Mainers.

The state’s controversial net-energy billing policy allows energy utilities to subsidize the installation of solar panels on the homes of some Mainers by raising the electricity rates of those who do not want, or can’t afford, solar panels themselves.

The Senate Republicans criticized Bartlett for prioritizing his party’s obsession with solar energy over the needs of the people he is supposed to serve.

“The rise in electricity costs under Chairman Bartlett’s stewardship has resulted in Maine companies going out of business, including in my district. During his tenure, more Maine families are seriously behind in their electric bills due to bad energy policies he supports,” said Assistant Senate Republican Leader Matt Harrington (R–York).

Prior to his time on the PUC, Bartlett served as Chair of the Maine Democratic Party and as the Maine Senate Majority Leader from 2008 to 2010.

The Senate Republicans pointed to a suspicious incident during Bartlett’s time as chair of his party. At that time, the party received $150,000 from an LLC with ties to a large solar company. Within a year of that donation, Bartlett was appointed to chair the PUC by Gov. Janet Mills (D-Maine).

In their joint statement, Republicans argued that even the appearance of a conflict of interest caused by the suspiciously timed donation should disqualify Bartlett from chairing the PUC.

Despite the unanimous opposition from the minority party, Bartlett was reconfirmed to his position in an 18-15 vote.