Democrats prevail to push the bill ahead, but Gov. Paul LePage’s intent to veto the measure means it will probably fail. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA –– A bill that would greatly expand solar energy development in Maine was passed Tuesday by a legislative committee, but the party-line vote 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.
Mill Closures Make Case for Solar Expansion Now
The right response to job loss in legacy businesses is helping new industries grow. Portland Press Herald editorial As if it weren’t bad enough to hear that the Madison Paper Industries plant would shut down in May, putting 214 people out of work, Gov. LePage made it worse: Five years into the job, Maine’s chief Read More
NRCM Testimony In Support of LD 1649, “An Act to Modernize Maine’s Solar Power Policy and Encourage Economic Development”
Senator David Woodsome, Chair Representative Mark Dion, Chair Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities & Technology My name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Thank you for allowing us to present this testimony. NRCM has been working intensely for almost a year with scores Read More
Solar Power Bill Faces Key Legislative Hearing
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
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
