By Darren Fishell, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine — Maine Attorney General Janet Mills’ office has returned to utilities regulators a controversial rule limiting funding for state energy efficiency programs, prompting a new rulemaking process. The routine rulemaking step comes after a legislative session that generated political controversy about that specific 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 Groups Working to Preserve Land Likely to be Climate-Change Resilient
By Susan Sharon MPBN news story CASCO, Maine — Global climate change, as manifest through extreme weather patterns, is forcing land trusts and conservation agencies to take stock of the special places around them. That means identifying unfragmented, unique landscapes that support a diversity of plants and animals and could support them in the future. Read More
Construction Begins in R.I. on Nation’s First Offshore Wind Farm
Deepwater Wind is building the five-turbine farm that is expected to produce enough electricity to power 17,000 homes. By Jennifer McDermott, The Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. – Construction has begun off Rhode Island’s coast on the nation’s first offshore wind farm, a milestone that federal and state officials say will Read More
Winslow Ordinance Could Open Door for State’s Largest Solar Farm
Ranger Solar in Yarmouth weighs a plan that could cost $25 million and take up 100 acres, but requires zoning regulation changes. By Peter McGuire, Central Maine Portland Press Herald news story WINSLOW — The town is set to begin drafting regulations that could pave the way for a solar farm potentially 20 times bigger Read More
You Call This Stewardship of the Earth?
Climate change is calling out, asking what sort of planet we will be leaving to the next generation. We need to step up. By Allen Armstrong and Iris SanGiovanni Portland Press Herald op-ed This column is a collaboration between a retired engineer and a university student regarding our perceptions of climate change. Allen Armstrong: As Read More
Port to Power Up Solar Charging Station
By Duke Harrington, Staff Writer Mainely Media news story KENNEBUNKPORT — Selectmen in Kennebunkport have committed themselves to conservation efforts, agreeing to give $4,500 to help install a solar-powered charging station for electric cars. The Clipper Creek Level II EV unit will be placed at the Village Fire Station on Brown Street, where it will Read More
Solar Panel Plan is Green Lighted
By Liz Graves, staff writer Mount Desert Islander news story BAR HARBOR — Plans for ReVision Energy to install solar panels on the Public Works office building here to supply electricity for town use took a step forward Tuesday. The Town Council voted unanimously to appoint a committee to negotiate terms of a Power Purchase Read More
Legislature Overrides Veto of Bill Calling for PUC to Develop Solar Policy
Vote shows bipartisan support for helping Maine catch up on solar NRCM news release AUGUSTA, ME – Today, the Maine House (119-28) and Senate (32-3) voted to override Governor LePage’s veto of a Resolve aimed at developing a comprehensive solar policy for Maine. LD 1263, sponsored by Rep. Sara Gideon of Freeport, was amended to Read More
$9 Million Down East Solar Project on Hold as Bill Vetoed
By Darren Fishell, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine — A bill to study a new way to compensate electricity customers for the power they generate and return into the grid was vetoed by Gov. Paul LePage on Monday. The legislation, LD 1263, comes as uncertainty looms over just how long the Read More