February 3, 2025 (Augusta, ME) – The past few years have seen Maine families, local businesses, and Wabanaki Nations benefit from at least $2.2 billion in direct and induced investments in clean technology thanks to federal funding provided by Congress, according to a new analysis issued today. For the first time, the report quantifies the Read More
Climate
Climate change and global warming pollution harm Maine people, wildlife, and our environment. Among the highest rates of childhood asthma in the nation, rising seas and severe storms battering our coastal homes and towns, warming and more acidic oceans threatening fisheries, too many “bad air days,” more and more tick-borne diseases, threats to our fall foliage and winter tourism industries—these are among the many health, environmental, and economic problems climate change pollution is causing here in Maine.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine is working to reduce climate-changing pollution by making Maine more energy efficient. We work to provide clean, renewable energy and cleaner more efficient vehicles that will reduce Maine’s contribution to air pollution and climate change to ensure Maine people and wildlife have clean air to breathe.
How Offshore Wind Can Lower Electricity Prices in New England
The cold streaks Mainers have faced in recent weeks, combined with President Trump’s early actions blocking homegrown wind energy and the delivery of funding already approved by Congress to help our communities, provide an opportunity to revisit the connection between wind power and energy costs. January 21st was a great example of how offshore wind Read More
NRCM Urges Senators Collins, King Not to Undermine Senate Confirmation Process for Nominees
November 25, 2024 (Augusta, ME) — Maine’s leading environmental advocacy organization today urged Senators Susan Collins and Angus King to insist that the full, deliberative “advice and consent” process be pursued in the U.S. Senate for nominees to federal agencies that play a critical role in helping protect Maine’s environment. The Natural Resources Council of Read More
Updated Climate Action Plan is Opportunity for Maine to Lead
The Maine Climate Council released its updated Climate Action Plan (view PDF) today as is statutorily required under a bipartisan climate law passed in 2019. Since the first Climate Action Plan was published in 2020, the impacts of climate change have become more pronounced, causing damage to critical infrastructure, harm to local communities, and interruptions Read More
New Methane Pollution Charge Will Protect Our Health
November 15, 2024 (Augusta, ME) — A new rule announced this week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) aimed at slashing harmful methane pollution will protect clean air and safeguard human health. As part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the U.S. Congress adopted the methane waste emission charge as part of the Read More
Why NRCM is Supporting an Offshore Wind Port on Sears Island
The Natural Resources Council of Maine supports a proposed offshore wind (OSW) port on Sears Island because it is our best chance to create a new clean energy industry for Maine that helps us become more energy independent, reduce harmful air pollution, and create thousands of new good-paying jobs. In this post, we explain the Read More
Successful Gulf of Maine Offshore Wind Lease Sale Kicks Off a New Clean Energy Era
News release October 29, 2024 (Augusta, ME) – A new era for clean energy in New England kicked off today when the federal government announced the results of its first floating offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Maine. Four of the eight available lease areas were purchased by developers, including one in the northern Read More
US Dept. of Energy Grant for Aroostook Renewable Transmission
NRCM Statement October 3, 2024 (Augusta, ME) — Today, the U.S. Department of Energy announced $425 million in support of a proposal to connect clean, reliable wind energy from Aroostook County to the rest of Maine, as well as the New England electric grid. The project, proposed by Avangrid, must still be selected by the Read More
Latest CMP Reorganization Plan Raises Concerns for Maine Electricity Customers
Advocates Urge PUC to Protect Ratepayers September 16, 2024 (Augusta, ME) — The plan to take Maine’s largest utility private is raising serious concerns about the impact on electricity customers and the role of utilities in helping the state meet its clean energy goals. Iberdrola’s $2.5 billion buyout of public shares of Central Maine Power’s Read More
