Clean air is essential for healthy, happy lives. Clean, renewable energy helps ensure clean air. NRCM works for policies and initiatives that will improve Maine's air quality and reduce global warming pollution throughout the state and region.
NRCM’s climate and clean energy work is focused on where we can have the greatest impact: cleaner cars and trucks, clean and renewable energy production, and greater energy efficiency.
Our work in these key areas is critical to reducing health and environmental problems already plaguing our state. These include high asthma rates, more “bad air days,” rising sea levels due to climate change that threaten coastal communities, and threats to our fall foliage, skiing, and our vital tourism-based industry.
NRCM makes certain that Maine's elected officials and decision-makers are kept up to date about information related to climate change pollution, clean energy technologies, and steps Maine can take to ensure clean air.

Solar for Maine Provides New Jobs and Savings on Electricity Bills
A study released this week by the consulting firm Daymark Energy Advisors shows that the increase in local solar energy projects encouraged by Maine’s Net Energy Billing (NEB) program has already generated significant benefits to Maine people and businesses, and is on track to drive hundreds of millions more in new investment in Maine—while delivering Read More

Opposition to LD 634, An Act to Cap the Value of Contracts for Renewable Resources and Distributed Generation Resources
Senator Lawrence, Representative Berry, and distinguished members of the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee. My name is David Costello. I am the Climate and Clean Energy Program Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I am testifying today in opposition to LD 634, An Act to Cap the Value of Contracts for Renewable Resources and Distributed Read More

Support of LD 194, An Act To Prohibit Contributions, Expenditures and Participation by Foreign Government-owned Entities To Influence Referenda
Senator Luchini, Representative Caiazzo, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs. My name is Pete Didisheim. I am the Advocacy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and I appreciate this opportunity to testify on behalf of our more than 25,000 members and supporters in support of LD 194, Read More

LD 226, Limit the Use of Hydrofluorocarbons To Fight Climate Change
Senator Brenner, Representative Tucker, and distinguished members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. My name is David Costello. I am the Climate and Clean Energy Program Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I am testifying today in support of LD 226, An Act to Limit the Use of Hydrofluorocarbons to Fight Climate Change. Eliminating Potent Read More

Hydro-Quebec Exploiting Legal Loophole to Influence Maine Voters
Legislators Consider Bills to Stop Campaigns by Foreign Government-owned Companies NRCM news release March 15, 2021 (Augusta, ME) – Over the past 15 months, Hydro-Quebec has exploited a loophole in state ethics law by spending a record-breaking $10 million on a statewide political campaign aimed at persuading Maine voters to support the controversial Central Maine Read More

Support of LD 528, An Act to Advance Energy Storage in Maine
Senator Lawrence, Representative Berry, and distinguished members of the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee. My name is David Costello. I am the Climate and Clean Energy Program Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I am testifying today in support of LD 528, An Act to Advance Energy Storage in Maine. Adequately Read More

Support of LD 170, An Act Pertaining to Transmission Lines Not Needed for Reliability or Local Generation
Senator Lawrence, Representative Berry, and distinguished members of the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee. My name is Sue Ely and I am the Climate and Clean Energy Policy Advocate and Staff Attorney for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I am pleased to testify today in support of LD 170, An Act Pertaining to Read More

Support of LD 347, An Act To Facilitate Maine’s Climate Goals by Encouraging Use of Electric Vehicles
Senator Lawrence, Representative Berry, and distinguished members of the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee. My name is Sue Ely, and I am a staff attorney at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I am pleased to testify today in support of LD 347, An Act To Facilitate Maine’s Climate Goals by Encouraging Use of Electric Read More

LD 340, Establishment of Commercial Property Assessed Programs
Senator Lawrence, Representative Berry, and distinguished members of the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee. My name is David Costello. I am the Climate and Clean Energy Program Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I am testifying today in support of LD 340, An Act to Allow for the Establishment of Commercial Property Assessed Programs. Reducing Building Sector Read More