Augusta, ME – Hundreds of proponents of solar power gathered at the State House today to call on lawmakers to pass legislation this year to move Maine forward on solar power and prevent rollbacks by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Many will testify at a public hearing this afternoon in favor of An Act to Read More
Clean Energy
Clean energy improves Maine's air quality and reduces climate-changing pollution throughout the state of Maine and the greater New England region. That’s why NRCM is a steadfast advocate for state policies and initiatives that benefit Maine’s environment.
NRCM’s climate and clean energy work is focused on where we can have the greatest impact: electric vehicles, clean and renewable energy production, and greater energy efficiency.
Our clean energy work is critical to reducing Maine’s environmental problems and adverse affects to our health. Including high asthma rates, more “bad air days,” rising sea levels due to climate change that threaten coastal communities, and threats to our fall foliage, skiing, and our vital tourism-based industry.
NRCM makes certain that Maine's elected officials and other decision-makers are kept updated about leading information related to global warming pollution, clean energy technologies, and steps Maine can take to ensure clean air for generations to come.
Opposition to LD 1262, An Act To Protect Monhegan Island by Limiting Wind Turbines
Senator David Woodsome, Chair Representative Seth Berry, Chair Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities & Technology My name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). Thank you for allowing us to present this testimony. NRCM opposes this legislation because it would effectively ban an Read More
Climate Change Marchers in Augusta Call for Politicians, Others to Protect Maine Resources
The gathering was one of many such events held nationwide to draw attention to effects of climate change and presidential policies. by Betty Adams, staff writer Central Maine newspapers news story AUGUSTA — About 1,100 people in brightly colored shirts, carrying a variety of signs and chanting various slogans, paraded slowly from the State House, Read More
Climate March Draws Massive Crowd to Washington in Sweltering Heat
The rally – which attracted tens of thousands – is directed at the Trump administration, which has undone environmental protections. by Chris Mooney, Washington Post writer Portland Press Herald news story WASHINGTON – Tens of thousands of demonstrators assembled in Washington in sweltering heat on Saturday for the latest installment of the regular protests that Read More
Backers Tout Bill Opposed by LePage, CMP to Allow More Community Solar Farms
The measure would lift restrictions on current large-scale solar projects, and set new power goals. by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A parade of proponents turned out Thursday at a public hearing for a bill that would greatly expand community solar farms in Maine. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. David Read More
Support of LD 1444, An Act Regarding Large-scale Community Solar Procurement
Senator David Woodsome, Chair Representative Seth Berry, Chair Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities & Technology My name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Thank you for allowing us to present this testimony. We support this bill, which includes new innovations and builds on Read More
Portland Councilors Want City to Use 100% Clean Energy by 2040
Portland Press Herald news story Portland city councilors will consider a new goal of powering municipal operations with 100 percent clean energy by 2040. City Councilor Spencer Thibodeau, chairman of the Sustainability and Transportation Committee, is presenting the goal in the form of a council resolution. Thibodeau will formally announce the goal Thursday at a Read More
Deeper EPA Cuts Pose a Particular Menace to Maine
Critics say both the environment and the economy would be hard hit by losses in funding for Superfund sites and water quality monitoring. By Colin Woodard, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story The deeper cuts proposed by the Trump administration would slash funding for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund cleanup activities and eliminate its Read More
A Subsidy Maine Electric Customers Pay to Encourage Renewable Energy Up for Review
Lawmakers will consider two bills that seek to address deficiencies in the Renewable Portfolio Standard, which even advocates admit isn’t working as intended. by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story A multimillion-dollar subsidy that Maine electric customers pay to encourage the use of renewable power is up for review in the Legislature Read More
