NRCM news release Portland, ME – Today, by a solar-powered electric car charging station, a diverse group of business and conservation leaders and citizen electric car owners gathered in Portland to recognize and celebrate the growing use of electric vehicles in Maine, as well as the tremendous benefits these vehicles can bring to our state. Read More
Cleaner Transportation
Many people are surprised to learn that cars and trucks are the single largest source of climate-changing pollution in Maine, at roughly 55 percent. This pollution that exacerbates global warming isn’t just threatening our natural resource-based economy here in Maine, it is also impacting our air quality and the health of Maine families and children. By driving electric vehicles, Mainers are reducing air pollution that harms our environment, our health, and our natural resources-based economy. Our electricity mix here in Maine is one of the cleanest in the country, and that makes plug-in electric cars far more environmentally friendly than even the most efficient hybrid car.
Electric Drives: Cumberland County has Most
Region leads state with vehicle numbers WMTW news story Watch full news video here. The Natural Resources Council of Maine says half of electric car owners live in Cumberland County. A number of environmental groups and car dealers gathered at Revision Energy in Portland on Thursday to ask Maine people to consider making the switch Read More
New Clean Vehicle Standards Historic Step in Fight for Clean Air
Will Spur Jobs, Protect Wildlife, and Decrease Oil Dependence News release Augusta, Maine — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standards for vehicle fuel efficiency and climate-changing pollutants are set to become final. These new standards will double the number of miles we can drive on a gallon of gasoline for new cars, SUVs, and Read More
States Win Air Quality Appeal
Portland Press Herald news story In a stinging setback for the Bush administration, a federal appeals court sided with Maine and 13 other states Friday and blocked the Environmental Protection Agency from easing clean air rules on aging power plants, refineries, and factories. Industry representatives had lobbied hard for the rule changes, arguing that the Read More
Sprawling Development, Longer Commutes, and Lack of Transportation Options are “Driving Global Warming”
Residents of So. Portland, Portland and Bangor Generated Least Global Warming Pollution Per Commuter Natural Resources Council of Maine * Environment Maine PORTLAND, ME- The fastest growing communities in Maine, largely on the outer fringes of Portland, are contributing disproportionately to the global warming pollution caused by commuting according to Driving Global Warming, a report Read More
Court Rejects (on Procedural Grounds) Carmakers’ Challenge to Maine’s Car Pollution Rule Process
Natural Resources Council of Maine * Conservation Law Foundation The Kennebec County Superior court has denied a request by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers to stay Maine’s new clean car standards. The court also refused to send the matter back to the Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) for reconsideration. “This is a good step Read More
Governor Baldacci Signs Cleaner Cars Law
Program will cut air and global warming pollution and make cleaner cars available to Maine drivers News Release AUGUSTA- In a bold stroke that will clear the skies over Maine and increase the availability of the cleanest cars, such as hybrid gas-electric vehicles, Governor John Elias Baldacci signed the Cleaner Car program into law today. Read More