AUGUSTA, ME. — Wednesday, March 7, 2018 – Today at a news conference in Augusta. elected officials, business leaders, conservation leaders, fishermen and women and other Maine residents spoke out against a new plan to allow offshore oil drilling and exploration off the coast of Maine The event was held in response to a Bureau 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 House Joined the Senate in Voting 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 House for giving its overwhelming support to a common sense solar bill that protects consumers, creates jobs, and expands opportunities for community solar. With its vote of 106-38, the Maine House of Representatives showed Read More
Maine Fishermen, Environmentalists Join in Opposition to Offshore Drilling
By Patrick Whittle and Marina Villeneuve Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – Fishing groups, environmentalists, politicians and tourism advocates plan to use a pair of tailored public hearings this week to oppose the Trump administration’s proposal to expand offshore drilling in the Atlantic and other ocean waters. The federal government’s meetings in Maine and New 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
State Legislature Passes Resolution Calling for Maine Waters to Be Removed from Trump Administration’s Offshore Oil Drilling Plan
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
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
