They say the PUC’s ‘extreme’ changes, which are opposed by the governor for different reasons, will stifle industry investment and were improperly adopted. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Maine’s largest environmental organization pledged Wednesday to “pursue every opportunity” to reverse controversial solar energy rules adopted by the state 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.
PUC Finalizes Extreme Anti-solar Rules
NRCM Prepared to Fight to Overturn Them in the Legislature Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Climate and Clean Energy Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “The Maine Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC’s) new net metering rules include some of the most extreme anti-solar elements in the nation. They would roll back solar net metering, destroying good Maine Read More
PUC’s Mishandling of Solar Rules Will Hurt Industry, Utilities and Ratepayers
They create solar disincentives that in the long term will undermine the public’s ability to benefit from private investments in solar and battery storage. by Vaughan Woodruff, president of Insource Renewables in Pittsfield and chair of the Committee on Renewable Energy, the trade association for Maine-based solar contractors Portland Press Herald op-ed PITTSFIELD — The Read More
Maine Regulators Approve Rolling Back Solar Credits
by Michael Shepherd Bangor Daily News news article AUGUSTA, Maine — It didn’t go far enough for Gov. Paul LePage, but Maine utility regulators rankled advocates on Tuesday when they rolled back a policy allowing homeowners with solar panels to be credited for excess power sold to the grid. The move was opposed by pro-solar Read More
PUC Approves Revised Solar Power Incentives
by Fred Bever Maine Public news story State regulators Tuesday approved new rules for the incentives received by Maine residents who install solar-power systems. The Public Utilities Commission’s plan won’t take effect until next year, and in the meantime, the latest action is getting a thumbs down from lawmakers and solar advocates who support strong Read More
Maine Regulators Seek Middle Ground in Residential Solar Incentives
by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Solar installers decry the new PUC rule, foreshadowing a fresh fight in the Legislature. HALLOWELL — Homeowners with solar-electric panels would be compensated for the power they produce at a full retail rate for 15 years, but those who wait until 2018 and a period Read More
Statement by NRCM Opposing Trump EPA Nominee Scott Pruitt
Statement by NRCM CEO Lisa Pohlmann Today, The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is considering Donald Trump’s nomination of Scott Pruitt to lead the nation’s top environmental and public health watchdog: the Environmental Protection Agency. You could not find a more unsuitable candidate to lead the EPA than Pruitt. He has proven himself Read More
Maine’s Largest Solar Farm Prepares to Power Up
The project in Madison, more than twice the size of others in the state, will supply 3,000 homes and small businesses. By Colin Ellis, Central Maine newspapers staff writer Portland Press Herald news story MADISON — The state’s largest solar farm could be fully operational this week. The solar energy project in the Madison Business Gateway Read More
Renewable Power Standards Face Uncertain Future
By Fred Bever Maine Public news story A consumer subsidy for renewable power in Maine may be ending — or at least changing. It’s called the Class 1 Renewable Portfolio Standards program, and many stakeholders, including environmentalists, say it’s ready for reform. Your electric bill pays for a lot of things: the electricity itself, the Read More
