Vote shows bipartisan support for helping Maine catch up on solar NRCM news release AUGUSTA, ME – Today, the Maine House (119-28) and Senate (32-3) voted to override Governor LePage’s veto of a Resolve aimed at developing a comprehensive solar policy for Maine. LD 1263, sponsored by Rep. Sara Gideon of Freeport, was amended 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.
Supreme Court Remands EPA’s Health-protective Mercury & Air Toxics Standards
High Court decision will further delay reductions of toxic air emissions that will save thousands of lives and provide important health protections News Release Washington, D.C. — This morning in a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court remanded the Environmental Protection Agency’s first-ever national standards for mercury and other toxic air pollution from coal- and oil- Read More
Solar Power Project to Cut Electric Bill at Camden High School
by Stephen Betts, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story ROCKPORT, Maine — The Five-Town Community School District Board approved Wednesday night a solar power project for the high school that will continue to reduce the electrical costs for the complex. Facilities Director Keith Rose said the goal of students is for Camden Hills Regional Read More
Pope Francis’ Encyclical on Climate Change: Guided by Morality, Backed by Science
“In this encyclical,” Pope Francis writes, “I intend especially to engage in a dialogue with everyone about our common home.” As a Catholic, it’s exciting for me to see Pope Francis putting climate change at the top of the Church’s agenda. Climate change has disastrous implications for our common home—God’s creation—and for the world’s poor. Read More
Maine Legislature Gives Final Approval to Efficiency Bill to Fix the “And” (LD 1215)
Senate Approves Bill Unanimously, Under the Hammer Sending it to the Governor’s Desk Statement of Dylan Voorhees, NRCM Clean Energy Director “We applaud the Senate and the full Legislature for final passage of this simple bill to uphold the clear legislative intent of the omnibus energy bill and save Maine people and businesses a billion Read More
Maine PUC Votes to Deny Motions by Four Parties to Reconsider Its Decision to Limit Energy Efficiency
Second failure by PUC to honor legislative intent means Maine Senate should now take action to correct error News Release Augusta, ME – The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today voted (2-1) to deny two motions urging them to reconsider their recent decision to severely limit funding for energy efficiency programs that reduce electricity costs Read More
Here Comes the Sun, So Why Isn’t Maine Taking Advantage of Free Power?
Maine has 30 percent more sun than Germany, which gets 7 percent of its electricity from solar power. By George Smith Kennebec Journal column “Here comes the sun; here comes the sun; and I say it’s all right.” Well, maybe not. This Beatles song is right about the sun. It shines in Maine more than Read More
Maine House Gives Initial Approval to Restore Funds for Energy Efficiency Program
The House voted 138-1 to approve the bill, but Gov. Paul LePage has indicated that he plans to veto it. By Steve Mistler, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — The House of Representatives gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a bill designed to fix a clerical error that cut $38 million from an Read More
Efficiency Maine ‘And’ Fix Bill Sails Through House
By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A controversial bill to fix a typo that could be worth roughly $38 million to the Efficiency Maine Trust sailed through the House of Representatives Wednesday on a 138-1 vote. Assistant House Majority Leader Sara Gideon’s bill, LD 1215, which inserts the Read More
