The proposal to pave the way for solar development has the support of utility companies, environmentalists and solar installers, but Gov. Paul LePage’s opposition may doom the measure. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Clean energy advocates and their allies were gearing up on Wednesday to promote a proposed 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.
Solar Power Compromise Fairly Shares Costs, Benefits
Lawmakers should not miss this opportunity to responsibly expand renewable power. Portland Press Herald editorial Maine lawmakers have a great opportunity to fairly distribute the costs and benefits of solar power, setting a five-year course that would expand use of renewable energy in a sustainable way. That is, if they don’t let politics get in Read More
LePage Opposes Compromise to Rapidly Expand Solar Power
Diverse interest groups back the 12-fold expansion, but LePage’s energy office says it includes subsidies that harm other ratepayers, setting up a legislative battle. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story A compromise proposal to boost solar power development in Maine 12-fold over five years is being opposed by Gov. Paul LePage, Read More
Can Maine Thread the Political Needle on Solar Policy?
By Darren Fishell, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine — Solar power in Maine is in for some growing pains. As the industry matures and solar generation gets cheaper, Maine policymakers are considering what to do about a system of incentives set up to encourage solar’s earliest adopters. A group including the Read More
Ratepayers Save Big, Jobs Triple Under Dramatic Solar Plan for Maine, Advocates Say
A coalition lays out the strategies and benefits of increasing power projects by more than tenfold and ending net metering. By Steve Mistler, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Advocates for a plan to increase solar energy projects in Maine by more than tenfold over the next five years said Thursday that Read More
Groundbreaking Solar Initiative Wins Support from Wide Array of Solar Supporters, Small Businesses, Bipartisan Lawmakers, and Key Stakeholders
Historic legislation calls for major ramp-up of solar installations and new job creation with benefits for all customers News Release AUGUSTA – A group of solar businesses, workers, municipalities, community leaders, utilities, and other stakeholders on Thursday announced their support for historic new solar legislation that will dramatically increase installation of solar throughout Maine. The Read More
Breakthrough for Solar Power in Maine!
Comprehensive new bill to expand solar power By Emmie Theberge and Dylan Voorhees, NRCM Clean Energy staff We’re happy to report that after laying the groundwork for years, and after months of intense work by many stakeholders, we’ve helped develop a strong comprehensive solar bill with broad support! The bill (LD 1649) would give Maine a Read More
Energy Efficient Projects are Saving Maine Hospitals Millions of Dollars
by Taylor Kinzler WABI-TV news story Energy conservation in the workforce can have many benefits. Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor has seen that firsthand since implementing an environmentally sound project. “That’s how we can save money for patients because for every dollar that we spend on energy, it’s 20 dollars that we have to Read More
Hospitals Speak Out Against Energy Efficiency Cuts
News Center Maine TV news story BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Representatives from some of Eastern Maine’s hospitals say they don’t want the state legislature to take away money given to them from a regional energy efficiency program. They, along with the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) say investing that money in energy saving Read More