Good afternoon Senator Lawrence, Representative Berry, and distinguished members of the Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Technology. My name is Sue Ely, and I work for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I am pleased to testify today in support of LD 1634, An Act To Create the Maine Generation Authority. Maine faces a monumental Read More
Opposition to LD 101, An Act to Prohibit Offshore Wind Energy Development
Senator Lawrence, Representative Berry, and distinguished members of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee. My name is David Costello. I am the Climate and Clean Energy Program Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I am testifying today in strong opposition to LD 101, An Act to Prohibit Offshore Wind Energy Development. OSW Key to Maine’s Read More
Governor Mills’ Plan for Rescue Act Funding Includes Critical Investments for Jobs and Cleaner Air and Water
May 4, 2021 (Augusta, ME) – Maine Governor Janet Mills has proposed distributing American Rescue Plan funding to make critical investments in energy efficiency, broadband, wastewater clean-up, State Parks, and other essential programs that will help Maine emerge from the pandemic stronger, support local jobs, and lead to cleaner air and water for Maine people, Read More
Updated Building Codes Will Help Mainers Save Money
As Maine’s new Climate Action Plan notes, modernizing homes and businesses to use cleaner energy, increase energy efficiency, and utilize lower-carbon building materials can both reduce pollution and enhance the health and prosperity of Maine people. A key step toward these goals is updating Maine’s outdated building energy codes, also known as the Maine Uniform Read More
My Maine This Week: Bonnie Kane
NRCM member Bonnie Kane of Gouldsboro, Maine, shares photos from a recent hike in Mariaville. Thank you, Bonnie for sharing these beautiful Maine photographs! Bonnie writes, “I am submitting two photos from Mariaville Falls Preserve in Mariaville taken at the same location along the West Branch of the Union River. April 27th was a lovely Read More
Creature Feature: Piping Plover
Piping Plover Scientific name: Charadrius melodus Cool fact: A Piping Plover parent will attempt to lure a potential predator away from its nest by feigning a broken wing. A small, pale-brown bird that nests on sandy beaches, the Piping Plover, along with its sand-colored eggs and chicks, can be difficult to see. Thus camouflaged, they Read More
Support of LD 1467, An Act to Promote a Circular Economy through Increased Postconsumer Recycled Plastic Content in Plastic Beverage Containers
Senator Brenner, Representative Tucker, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Sarah Nichols, and I am the Sustainable Maine Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I appreciate this opportunity to speak to you in support of LD 1467. We support this bill because it Read More
Authorize a General Fund Bond for LMF and State Parks
Senator Breen, Representative Pierce, and Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs, I am Melanie Sturm, the Forests and Wildlife Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony in support of LD 983. In addition to my testimony, I am attaching a Read More
Broad Coalition of Mainers Urge Legislature to Re-fund Land for Maine’s Future Program
Invest in Maine’s Land, Waters, Economy, & Future Land for Maine’s Future Coalition news release April 26, 2021 (Augusta, ME) — An unlikely assortment of Mainers representing a wide range of interests, from farming and commercial fishing to real estate and small businesses, are coming together to ask the Legislature to approve a bond to Read More