By Alex Acquisto The Forecaster news story SOUTH PORTLAND — Powering city facilities with solar energy is now a tangible goal on the not-too-distant horizon. A request for proposals was sent out to bidders across the country Sept. 4 by City Manager Jim Gailey for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems for eight municipal buildings 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.
Bangor Pushing Plan to Lower Energy Consumption, Costs for Residents
By Evan Belanger, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story BANGOR, Maine — Reduced energy costs could be in store for many residents as a result of an endeavor to craft a comprehensive citywide energy policy launched Wednesday by the Bangor City Council’s Finance Committee. “Basically, the end goal of the plan will be how Read More
First Survey Ever of Maine Electric Car Owners: They Love Their Cars, Save Money on Fuel, Live Across Maine
Today, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) released the first detailed survey of electric car owners in Maine. The release comes a few days before an annual Drive Electric Day celebration to be held Sunday September 13, noon to 4:00 at South Portland Community Center. This event is sponsored by NRCM and others, and Read More
Rural Maine Can Grow with Solar, Clean Power Plan Can Help
By Vaughan Woodruff, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Earlier this summer I was invited to speak at Bowdoin College for an event hosted by Envision Maine titled “Maine’s Economy and Climate Change.” In my opening remarks I noted that a slight adjustment to the event’s title would describe a topic that is Read More
Community Solar Farms Growing Around Maine
The solar farms let people off-site but in the utility coverage area invest and benefit in the payback. By Paul Koenig, Kennebec Journal Kennebec Journal news story A planned community solar farm near Androscoggin Lake in Wayne is one of about 10 similar projects that are under development around the state. The projects are unlike Read More
Maine Stands to Benefit from Obama’s Emissions Plan, Exceed Expectations
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial The Obama administration earlier this month unveiled the nation’s first set of rules regulating carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. Some of the loudest cheers for these rules, labeled the Clean Power Plan, should be coming from Maine. Monday’s air quality alert from the Maine Department Read More
Lobster Population Shifting North as Ocean Temps Warm
The dropping numbers in Connecticut and Rhode Island have put many lobstermen out of business. By Patrick Whitte The Associated Press news story The lobster population has crashed to the lowest levels on record in southern New England while climbing to heights never before seen in the cold waters off Maine and other northern reaches Read More
Freeport ‘Farm’ to Harvest, Share Solar Energy
By Kate Gardner The Forecaster news story FREEPORT — A community solar farm will soon be opening for residents who can’t have solar panels at their homes. The solar farm will be at Maine Idyll Motor Court on U.S. Route 1. Construction expected to start in November. Nine shares in the farm are being sold Read More
Report: Climate Change Disrupting Maine’s Waterways
By Nora Flaherty MPBN news story A new report finds that climate change is seriously impacting Maine’s waterways. The report from the National Wildlife Federation finds that changes such as warmer winter temperatures and warmer oceans, mean important changes for Maine’s ecosystems. Nick Bennett is staff scientist at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. He Read More