Costly Strain on New England Utility Grid Usually Peaks Around First Week of August News release Portland, ME – An updated analysis of the “value of solar” power in Maine shows that solar installations within the state cut electricity prices for everyone in Maine who pays an electric bill, by reducing peak demand on the 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.
Energy Confab Features King
by Liz Graves on Environment, News, News-Featured Mount Desert Islander news story BAR HARBOR — A Climate to Thrive (ACTT), a group with the goal of making Mount Desert Island energy independent by 2030, presents a gathering featuring Sen. Angus King on Sunday, July 31, from 3-5:30 p.m. at the Mount Desert Island High School. Read More
Maine PUC Could Decide Fate of Solar in Maine
by Andy O’Brien Free Press news story When fourth generation mill worker Sadie Ferreira heard the news that Verso’s Bucksport paper mill would be shutting down at the end of 2014, she was devastated. “I was really upset by it because so many of my family members still worked there,” said the 35-year-old Bucksport native. Read More
Big Solar Worked to Kill Maine Solar Energy Bill
Fearful that the bill would threaten their business model, national companies took steps that helped LePage and Republicans, at the expense of local solar installers and their Democratic allies. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The Maine lawmakers who last month defeated a landmark bill that would have expanded solar energy Read More
Solar Energy Bill Extinguished by Lobbying Based on False, Misleading Information
Behind closed doors and in debate, Republican Minority Leader Ken Fredette let the attack on the most significant solar energy measure Maine has ever seen. By Sam Zuckerman, owner, Maine Solar Solutions in Portland Portland Press Herald op-ed April 29th was a dark day for solar energy in Maine. It was the day that an Read More
The Six Republican ‘Walkers’ Who Killed Maine’s Solar Bill
By Rep. Jeff McCabe, D-Skowhegan, is the House majority leader Bangor Daily News op-ed This legislative session, we could have passed a historic solar bill into law. But too many House Republicans caved in to their leaders and the governor, throwing away that opportunity and all the jobs that would have come with it. LD Read More
South Portland Considers Zoning Changes to Promote, Regulate Solar Arrays
If the City Council approves the amendments, the city will become a model for other Maine communities and join a growing number of U.S. cities that have taken similar steps. By Kelley Bouchard, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story SOUTH PORTLAND — City planning officials have proposed sweeping zoning changes that would both promote Read More
Opportunity Lost as GOP Thwarts Job-creating Solar Energy Bill
By Sen. Dawn Hill Seacoast Online news story It’s not every day that Maine has an opportunity to take the lead in a growing industry, create and sustain jobs for its people, lower energy costs and fight climate change. We seized that opportunity in 2008, when the Legislature passed changes to the Wind Energy Act Read More
Lawmakers Uphold LePage Veto, Killing Bill to Boost Solar Energy
Two votes in the House and a determined lobbying effort by supporters fail to generate enough support to pass the measure. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — House lawmakers upheld Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a closely watched solar energy bill Friday in a blow to supporters who argued Read More