News Release September 16, 2024 (Augusta, ME) – The federal government today issued its final sale notice for the responsible development of offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) notice sets October 29th as the date for its auction of lease areas for building floating offshore wind projects Read More
Climate
Climate change and global warming pollution harm Maine people, wildlife, and our environment. Among the highest rates of childhood asthma in the nation, rising seas and severe storms battering our coastal homes and towns, warming and more acidic oceans threatening fisheries, too many “bad air days,” more and more tick-borne diseases, threats to our fall foliage and winter tourism industries—these are among the many health, environmental, and economic problems climate change pollution is causing here in Maine.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine is working to reduce climate-changing pollution by making Maine more energy efficient. We work to provide clean, renewable energy and cleaner more efficient vehicles that will reduce Maine’s contribution to air pollution and climate change to ensure Maine people and wildlife have clean air to breathe.
One Rural Maine School District’s Electric School Bus Experience
When Scott Lawyerson, the Head of Maintenance and Head Bus Driver at MSAD 13, was asked to describe experience with the district’s new electric school bus in one word he said “dependable.” Over the past 3 years, Maine has been awarded 72 electric school buses across 28 school districts through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Read More
Help Shape Maine’s Climate Action Plan
Maine’s next Climate Action Plan is coming out later this year, and we all have an opportunity right now to help shape what it looks like by taking this survey. In this blog, I’ll lay out why Maine’s statewide Climate Action Plan matters and give you some more details about the recommendations we’ll be asking Read More
Why EV Batteries are Good for the Grid, Not Just Your Wallet
When drivers purchase an electric car or truck they may not realize that they’re also getting a potent energy storage device out of the deal as well. Electric vehicle (EV) batteries won’t just help get us around, they are a potentially powerful and promising tool for building a more resilient and affordable clean energy grid Read More
The Economic Promise of Offshore Wind in Maine
Offshore wind holds great promise for Maine. Floating offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine is expected to generate about half of the electricity Maine needs by 2040 by providing a reliable source of renewable energy. This will bring a once-in-a-century opportunity to create good-paying jobs for Maine workers now and into the future. And Read More
New Report: Benefits of Maine’s Solar Growth Outweigh Costs
A new report commissioned by Maine’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) provides clear evidence for policymakers that the benefits of solar growth outweigh the costs. The PUC’s report, entitled “Status and Cost & Benefit Analysis of Maine’s 2023 Solar Market,” is the first comprehensive assessment of the costs and benefits of solar projects under the Net Read More
Maine’s Clean Transportation Future
Our vision for Maine’s transportation future is one in which Mainers can get where they need to go with a variety of clean, affordable, and safe options. In this future, cars and trucks no longer run on fossil fuels, saving drivers money and giving us cleaner, healthier air. Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are everywhere Read More
Syncing Utility Performance with Maine’s Clean Energy Goals
It may come as a surprise that our utilities’ profits aren’t based on how the companies perform. A bill before the Maine Legislature would help correct that. LD 2172 gives the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) the authority to use a suite of tools that help calibrate utility profits with performance. It also sets in motion Read More
Board of Environmental Protection Strikes Down Life-saving Cleaner Cars Rule
Maine will not join 13 other states in adopting pollution reduction program; state at risk of not meeting climate goals Augusta – Today, after more than a year of rulemaking and public engagement, Maine’s Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) voted not to adopt the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) rule, leaving billions in health and Read More
