Statement of Emmie Theberge, Federal Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “We applaud the Maine Senate for unanimously passing a resolution today asking for Maine’s Atlantic Ocean waters to be excluded from President Trump’s proposal for offshore oil exploration and drilling. The House passed the measure unanimously on February 15. Where there’s drilling, there’s 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.
Maine Senate Votes Overwhelmingly to Support Solar Bill
Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Climate and Clean Energy Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “We thank and congratulate the Maine Senate for giving its overwhelming support to a common sense bill that protects consumers, creates jobs, and expands opportunities for community solar. With its vote of 28-5 (with 2 supportive Senators absent, forecasting a Read More
New Solar Rules Cause Headaches for Solar Users, Installers & Innovators
“The Maine Public Utilities Commission is out of control…” by Andy O’Brien Free Press news story Last week, Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted to move back the date to implement controversial new rules affecting rooftop solar users from May 1 to March 16. Under Maine’s current net-metering rules, homes and businesses can sell excess Read More
New Stronger Northeast Climate Pact Becomes Law
Today, a bill passed unanimously by the Maine Legislature has become law, reauthorizing Maine to remain part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) through 2030, and ensuring deeper pollution cuts from power plants. LD 1657, sponsored by Rep. Ralph Tucker, was prepared by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection after the nine northeast states Read More
Lawmakers Oppose New Fees on Maine Hybrid and Electric Cars
Democrats on the transportation committee reject a LePage administration proposal to make electric and hybrid vehicles more expensive to own in Maine. By Peter McGuire, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Democratic lawmakers rejected a proposal from Gov. Paul LePage’s administration to make owning hybrid and electric cars more expensive in a committee-level vote Read More
Advocates for Home Solar Projects Slam Decision by “Out-of-Control” PUC
Pressured by Gov. LePage, the commission decides new rules reducing compensation for rooftop-generated power will take effect March 16, six weeks earlier than the deadline it set two months ago. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Maine’s rooftop solar installers, who thought they had until April 30 to put up panels Read More
New England Clean Energy Connect: CMP Transmission Line
NRCM Statement on CMP Transmission Line Proposal: New England Energy Connect February 21, 2018 The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) opposes this project because of significant concerns about the environmental impact of both the line itself and of the sources of power the line may serve and concern that Governor LePage wants to push Read More
NRCM Statement on PUC Decision to Push Anti-solar Rule Six weeks Earlier than Previously Announced
by Dylan Voorhees, Clean Energy Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is out of control. Today the PUC decided Maine is closed for business and intent on destroying jobs in America’s fastest-growing job market. The PUC decision to move the goal posts for the third time in a Read More
LePage Vows to Push Through $950M Project to Send Quebec Hydropower through Maine
By Christopher Cousins and Michael Shepherd, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Massachusetts chose a $950 million project headed by Maine utility Central Maine Power to be its backup option for a massive clean energy procurement that appeared headed to New Hampshire before regulators there nixed it last week. Maine Gov. Read More
