Improved Clean Air Standards to Curb Air Pollution that Pours into Maine from States to Our South and West AUGUSTA— Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized updated clean air standards that will protect public health by targeting air pollution that crosses state borders and will make it easier for states like Maine to protect 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.
Moving Away From Coal and Toward Solar and Wind
Although the coal, oil, and utility lobby spent $500 million over the past two years to defeat comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation, the shift to clean energy is underway and inevitable. Two big developments toward clean energy are worth noting. The New York Times reports that there is a growing movement in the Navajo Read More
Maine’s Transmission Settlement is a Better Path Toward More Efficiency, Clean Energy, and Reliability
NRCM Statement Today the Maine Public Utilities Commission gave preliminary approval to a settlement agreement regarding Central Maine Power’s (CMP) large transmission reliability proposal (entitled the Maine Power Reliability Project.) The Natural Resources Council of Maine has been an intervener in this case over the last two years. NRCM believes this settlement puts Maine on Read More
NRCM Testimony In Support of LD 1810, An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Governor’s Ocean Energy Task Force
Senator Hobbins and Representative Hinck, The Natural Resources Council of Maine appreciates this opportunity to testify on this important legislation. We commend the Governor’s Ocean Energy Task Force and its chairs for their considerable and important work. We support the broad and bold vision this legislation presents for a fundamental shift to renewable energy for Read More
Conservation Groups Offer Partial Support for Proposed Expansion of Kibby Mountain Wind Project
Appalachian Mountain Club, Maine Audubon, and Natural Resources Council of Maine support additional eight wind turbines but oppose seven wind turbines proposed for sensitive ecological area NRCM – Appalachian Mountain Club – Maine Audubon CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine — At a public hearing on wind power held today by the Land Use Regulation Commission, the Appalachian Read More
40 Groups Call for Climate and Clean Energy Legislation
Statement by NRCM Executive Director Brownie Carson Good afternoon. My name is Brownie Carson. I am the Executive Director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and I am pleased to be here today representing one of the 40 organizations that are calling on the U.S. Congress to pass federal climate and clean energy legislation Read More
Joint Comments of NRCM, Maine Audubon, and AMC to LURC Regarding Expansion of Expedited Permitting Area
To: Commissioners, Maine Land Use Regulation Commission cc: Marcia Spencer-Famous, Catherine Carroll Dear LURC Commissioners: We have been following the Commission’s discussions around TransCanada’s rulemaking petition and are encouraged that the Commission recognizes that TransCanada’s petition to expand the expedited permitting area will set important precedents for how all future petitions are considered. We appreciate that Read More
Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Wind Power
And passage of federal climate and energy legislation NRCM news release A recent poll conducted by Portland-based Critical Insights shows that 90% of Maine people support the development of wind power as a source of electricity. Nearly nine in ten Mainers agree that wind power can improve energy security and reduce Maine’s dependence on fossil Read More
“Momentum is Building for Clean Energy Future”
Google’s Top Climate and Energy Expert Tells Maine Audience NRCM news release In a keynote address to a Portland audience Wednesday evening, a spokesperson from internet powerhouse Google described his company’s vision of a clean energy future for the United States. Dan Reicher, Google’s Director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives, predicted that renewable energy Read More