Senator David Woodsome, 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). Thank you for allowing us to present this joint testimony on these two closely related bills. NRCM strongly supports 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.
Maine Joins Suit against Trump Administration Over Delay of Energy-efficiency Rules
by Erik Larson and Andrew Harris, Bloomberg Sun Journal news story Maine is one of 10 states and a handful of national environmental groups suing the Trump administration, claiming it’s violating federal law by delaying energy-efficiency standards intended to save Americans almost $24 billion. Six rules for ceiling fans, walk-in coolers and other consumer products that Read More
Portland Becomes First City in Maine to Require Reporting on Large Buildings’ Energy Use
The council votes 6-3 to pass the ‘benchmarking’ measure, designed to collect baseline data that would be used to gauge trends and the effectiveness of efficiency upgrades. by Randy Billings, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The Portland City Council voted 6-3 to become the first community in Maine to require large businesses and Read More
Crucial Battle Over Solar Panel Incentives Goes to Maine PUC
Many Maine jobs are at stake as a proposal to reduce the credits for power fed to the grid from home rooftops is debated at a hearing. by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Battle lines are being drawn for a fight over the future of rooftop solar energy in Maine, as Read More
Don’t Have Solar Panels On Your Roof? You’re Still Benefiting From Solar
By Phil Coupe, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed To make good decisions on energy investments and policy, Mainers must get true facts about solar, not just the myths being intentionally sown by utilities that want to protect their monopoly on our energy consumption. A recent BDN article did not mention that solar Read More
Energy Confab Features King
by Liz Graves on Environment, News, News-Featured Mount Desert Islander news story BAR HARBOR — A Climate to Thrive (ACTT), a group with the goal of making Mount Desert Island energy independent by 2030, presents a gathering featuring Sen. Angus King on Sunday, July 31, from 3-5:30 p.m. at the Mount Desert Island High School. Read More
Portland Council Panel Endorses Solar Project, Recycling Carts
By David Harry, staff writer The Forecaster news story PORTLAND — By this time next year, recycling could be on a roll in Portland. A plan forwarded by City Manager Jon Jennings and Sustainability Coordinator Troy Moon to purchase carts for storing recyclable materials and three semi-automated trucks to collect the materials was endorsed by a Read More
Going Green in the Golden Years
Environmentally friendly retirement communities are sprouting up around the country as retiring baby boomers get serious about sustainability. By Meredith Goad, Staff Writer Maine Sunday Telegram news story FALMOUTH — When Bill and Margot Gatchell come in from sea kayaking, they warm up in a home that’s heated by 14 solar panels. When they want Read More
LePage and His Legislative Allies are Pushing Amendments that Could Kill Maine’s Solar Industry
Their Actions Could Cost as Many Jobs as the Madison Mill Closure News Release by Maine Association of Building Efficiency Professionals At a State House news conference today, leaders of solar companies across Maine decried the attack on their industry by Governor LePage and his allies, including House Minority Leader Ken Fredette. In the wake Read More
