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.
Support of LD 640, Resolve, To Require a Study of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions from Proposed CMP Transmission Corridor
Senator Carson, Representative Tucker, and distinguished members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the Staff Scientist at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 20,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in strong support of LD Read More
Opposition to LD 334, An Act to Change the Definition of “Renewable Capacity Resource”
My name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). Thank you for allowing us to present this testimony. NRCM supports the use of our Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to spur investment in renewable resources that help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, improve our Read More
Climate Bills Call for Maine to Reduce Emissions to 80% Below 1990 Levels
Seven hours of testimony provide a glimpse into the scope and impact of proposals to rein in greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, factories and motor vehicles. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Maine scientists, fishermen and environmentalists urged lawmakers Wednesday to embrace a goal of reducing greenhouse gas Read More
Opposition to LD 754, An Act to Ensure the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Continues to Promote Energy Efficiency and Benefit Maine Ratepayers
Senator Mark Lawrence, Chair Representative Seth Berry, Chair Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities & Technology My name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM opposes this bill, which—despite its title—would limit the extent to which funds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Read More
Solar Array Proposed in Oxford
Town could see financial rewards in energy credits. By Leslie H. Dixon Advertiser Democrat/ Lewiston Sun Journal news story View graphics from news story. OXFORD — Nearly 40 acres of land off Route 26 near the Oxford County Regional Airport may be developed as a solar array – one of the largest solar energy facilities Read More
Strong Support from Broad Diversity of Mainers for Climate Action Bill
LD 797 would set roadmap for cutting carbon pollution and strengthening Maine’s economy News Release March 13, 2019 (AUGUSTA, ME) – From shellfish growers and farmers to doctors and home-grown clean energy businesses, a wide range of Mainers testified today in support of a bipartisan bill to spark action on climate change. An Act to Read More
Support of LD 797, An Act to Limit Greenhouse Gas Pollution and Effectively Use Maine’s Natural Resources
Senator Brownie Carson, Chair Representative Ralph Tucker, Chair Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources My name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Climate & Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM strongly supports this framework legislation, which we view as essential to tackling climate change in the Read More
Wilton Voters Show Strong Opposition to CMP Project
Nearly 200 residents were nearly unanimous in rescinding the selectpersons’ letter supporting the $950 million transmission line from Quebec to Massachusetts. By Dee Menear, The Franklin Journal Sun Journal news story WILTON — Voters at a special town meeting Tuesday showed overwhelming opposition to Central Maine Power Co.’s New England Clean Energy Connect project. The Read More
Wilton Latest Town to Oppose CMP Transmission Project Through Overwhelming Vote by Residents
Proposed CMP Settlement Fails to Change Minds NRCM News Release Tonight voters in the town of Wilton voted to rescind the town’s previous support and take a position opposed to CMP’s proposed transmission corridor from Canada through Western Maine. Like many other towns, Wilton’s select board had signed an early letter in support of the Read More
