By Stanley Short Jr., Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed The working men and working women of Maine inspire me every day. Our communities and our state are built on their ingenuity, determination and grit. Now there’s an opportunity for them to drive economic development through the production of Maine-made energy. It comes 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.
Going Green in the Golden Years
Environmentally friendly retirement communities are sprouting up around the country as retiring baby boomers get serious about sustainability. By Meredith Goad, Staff Writer Maine Sunday Telegram news story FALMOUTH — When Bill and Margot Gatchell come in from sea kayaking, they warm up in a home that’s heated by 14 solar panels. When they want Read More
Jobs at Risk in Legislature’s Decision on Solar Energy Bill
In Pittsfield, a solar installer who has hired 10 local residents braces for the impact on his business, and maybe on his home town By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story PITTSFIELD — Solar-electric modules, inverters and heat pumps are stacked on the floor of what once was a convenience store. Long Read More
Should Maine’s Biomass Industry Receive Subsidies?
by Mal Leary Maine Public news story Lawmakers in Augusta are considering a bill that seeks to bail out the state’s ailing biomass industry by requiring consumers to purchase higher-priced power from those plants. Supporters say the measure is needed to protect an important industry, but opponents say the market should prevail. Both sides took Read More
Solar Power Bill Offers Bright Step Forward, South Portland City Manager Says
Portland Press Herald opinion piece by Jim Gailey SOUTH PORTLAND — A new creative way to bring reduced electricity costs to all ratepayers and help municipalities invest in sustainable, low-cost energy to benefit residents is currently before the Maine Legislature: L.D. 1649, “An Act to Modernize Maine’s Solar Power Policy and Encourage Economic Development.” Unfortunately, Read More
Solar Supporters Urge Lawmakers to Pass Solar Bill
WCSH-6 TV news story AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Solar power provides relatively little energy in Maine, but some people want to change that. The legislature is considering a bill aimed at giving solar power a boost. Supporters of LD 1649, or the solar bill, say Governor Paul LePage is spreading misinformation about the bill Read More
Lawmakers Disagree on Solar Power Regulations
By Fred Bever MPBN news story Maine’s solar power industry is in trouble – that’s the word from advocates who say Republicans and the administration of Governor Paul LePage are ready to kill efforts to preserve and expand renewable energy here. But some Republicans and LePage’s chief energy advisor say they are trying to find Read More
LePage and His Legislative Allies are Pushing Amendments that Could Kill Maine’s Solar Industry
Their Actions Could Cost as Many Jobs as the Madison Mill Closure News Release by Maine Association of Building Efficiency Professionals At a State House news conference today, leaders of solar companies across Maine decried the attack on their industry by Governor LePage and his allies, including House Minority Leader Ken Fredette. In the wake Read More
Lawmakers Should Try to Get to “Yes” on Solar
A compromise plan would boost private investment and create good jobs in Maine. Portland Press Herald editorial One of the best-selling books on negotiating is the 1981 title by Roger Fisher and William Ury called “Getting to Yes.” In it, the authors call for putting aside personalities and entrenched positions, and using creativity to find Read More
