By Darren Fishell, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine — Maine Attorney General Janet Mills’ office has returned to utilities regulators a controversial rule limiting funding for state energy efficiency programs, prompting a new rulemaking process. The routine rulemaking step comes after a legislative session that generated political controversy about that specific 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.
Construction Begins in R.I. on Nation’s First Offshore Wind Farm
Deepwater Wind is building the five-turbine farm that is expected to produce enough electricity to power 17,000 homes. By Jennifer McDermott, The Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. – Construction has begun off Rhode Island’s coast on the nation’s first offshore wind farm, a milestone that federal and state officials say will Read More
Winslow Ordinance Could Open Door for State’s Largest Solar Farm
Ranger Solar in Yarmouth weighs a plan that could cost $25 million and take up 100 acres, but requires zoning regulation changes. By Peter McGuire, Central Maine Portland Press Herald news story WINSLOW — The town is set to begin drafting regulations that could pave the way for a solar farm potentially 20 times bigger Read More
Port to Power Up Solar Charging Station
By Duke Harrington, Staff Writer Mainely Media news story KENNEBUNKPORT — Selectmen in Kennebunkport have committed themselves to conservation efforts, agreeing to give $4,500 to help install a solar-powered charging station for electric cars. The Clipper Creek Level II EV unit will be placed at the Village Fire Station on Brown Street, where it will Read More
Solar Panel Plan is Green Lighted
By Liz Graves, staff writer Mount Desert Islander news story BAR HARBOR — Plans for ReVision Energy to install solar panels on the Public Works office building here to supply electricity for town use took a step forward Tuesday. The Town Council voted unanimously to appoint a committee to negotiate terms of a Power Purchase Read More
Legislature Overrides Veto of Bill Calling for PUC to Develop Solar Policy
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
$9 Million Down East Solar Project on Hold as Bill Vetoed
By Darren Fishell, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine — A bill to study a new way to compensate electricity customers for the power they generate and return into the grid was vetoed by Gov. Paul LePage on Monday. The legislation, LD 1263, comes as uncertainty looms over just how long the Read More
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
Future of Solar Energy in Maine Still Cloudy
Disagreements persist over how generators, ratepayers and utilities may benefit from the clean power of the sun. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The tussle over the future of solar energy in Maine also is a fight over competing visions for how to develop the limitless resource. One continues the existing Read More