NRCM News Release September 19, 2019 (Augusta, ME) — A new Maine Climate Council announced today by Governor Janet Mills will soon begin its work of updating the state’s Climate Action Plan to transition the state toward a clean energy economy by 2050. The 39 members of the Council represent a broad diversity of industries, Read More
Energy Efficiency
NRCM supports energy efficiency technologies and initiatives that benefit Maine. For too long, Maine—and the U.S.—has been reliant upon fossil fuels for our energy needs. These dirty energy sources—oil, coal, gas—contribute to climate change and other air pollution that leads to serious health and environmental issues in Maine. This addiction to dirty energy also hinders progress toward the increased energy independence our country and our state need.
NRCM's top energy priority is advocating for greater energy efficiency and conservation, as that is consistently the cheapest, cleanest way to combat Maine’s environmental problems while reducing energy pollution.
Maine has created momentum and infrastructure for energy efficiency improvements. Now, Maine needs a longer-term strategy to maximize energy efficiency and weatherization in our homes and businesses, boost business growth, and slash energy costs.
Bill Would Boost Local Clean Energy Jobs, Reduce Air Pollution, and Advance Energy Independence
Maine Renewable Energy Association | Professional Logging Contractors of Maine | Brookfield Renewable | Longroad Energy | Sierra Club of Maine | Union of Concerned Scientists | Natural Resources Council of Maine | The Nature Conservancy in Maine | Maine Conservation Alliance | ReEnergy | Sargent Corporation News release May 7, 2019 (Augusta, ME) – Read More
Maine PUC Intentionally Holding Energy Efficiency Back, Costing Consumers Millions in Savings
NRCM news release May 3, 2019 (Hallowell, ME) – The staff at the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has recommended dramatic cuts to Efficiency Maine’s proposed three-year plan aimed at helping Maine households, businesses, towns, and industry save money through investments in energy efficiency. The staff recommendation released yesterday follows a disturbing pattern by the Read More
Opposition to LD 754, An Act to Ensure the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Continues to Promote Energy Efficiency and Benefit Maine Ratepayers
Senator Mark Lawrence, Chair Representative Seth Berry, 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 (NRCM). NRCM opposes this bill, which—despite its title—would limit the extent to which funds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Read More
LED Light Conversion Could Save Caribou Nearly $100,000 Annually
by Christopher Bouchard, Aroostook Republican & News Bangor Daily News story CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou City Manager Dennis Marker updated councilors on Feb. 11 about the results of an Investment Grade Audit report concerning the potential conversion of Caribou street lights to more efficient and less expensive LED. Marker said the IGA report indicates that Read More
Bill to Tax Fossil Fuel Producers Among Dozens of Climate-Related Proposals Before Maine Legislature
by Steve Mistler Maine Public news story From carbon taxes to the Maine version of the Green New Deal, Democratic state lawmakers are pitching a slew of bills designed to address the threat of climate change. While Democrats have introduced climate bills before, the proposals had no real chance to become law during Republican Gov. Read More
Maine House Passes Solar Policy Fix
by Christian Roselund PV Magazine news story Today the Maine House voted 106-38 to pass legislation that will overturn a key aspect of the pending changes to the state’s net metering policy imposed by the Public Utilities Commission of Maine. Most importantly, LD 1444 will remove the “gross metering” provision, which would have allowed a Read More
Portland, South Portland Plan to Fight Against Climate Change
Municipal officials hope to develop plans for each community to reduce carbon footprints and counter the effects of global warming. by Kelley Bouchard, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story In less than 100 years, strolling from shop to shop along Commercial Street in Portland or running with your dog on Willard Beach in South Portland Read More
Law Keeping Maine as Part of RGGI Becomes Law Without Governor’s Signature
Mainebiz news story A bill passed unanimously by the Maine Legislature to remain part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative through 2030 became law without the governor’s signature. LD 1657, “An Act To Update the Allowance Budget for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative,” was prepared by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection after nine Northeast Read More
