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.
Maine Should Invest in Measures to Mitigate Looming Damage from Climate Change
Predictable storms, sea-level rise and flooding call for major spending now to prevent economic disruption and the catastrophic loss of property in our state. Portland Press Herald editorial The global challenge of climate change is usually framed as a debate between people who “believe” that human activity is causing the Earth to get warmer and Read More
We Know How to Fight Climate Change, and All of Us Must Play a Part
The harm that warming is doing now will only get worse unless citizens, businesses and governments make mitigating actions part of their daily lives. by Rev. Richard Killmer, retired Presbyterian minister and Yarmouth resident Portland Press Herald op-ed YARMOUTH — “Earth’s climate is now changing faster than at any point in the history of modern civilization, Read More
Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine Rescinds Support for CMP Transmission Project
by Fred Bever Maine Public news story Listen to full news story. The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine (SAM) is rescinding its support for Central Maine Power’s controversial transmission project proposed for western Maine. The 141-mile project would bring electricity from Canada’s hydro-dams to consumers in Massachusetts, and it would require cutting a new corridor through Read More
Plan to Bring Hydropower from Canada to Mass. Faces Mounting Obstacles
By David Abel, Globe Staff Boston Globe news story It seemed like such a simple solution. To the north of New England, there’s a vast network of rivers and dams that generates massive amounts of hydropower, energy that could slake the growing demand for emissions-free electricity in Massachusetts. So the Baker administration sought proposals to Read More
CMP Power Line Plan Too Destructive to Maine’s Natural Beauty
As a hiker, I’ve seen the vistas that would be despoiled. Citizens should speak out in the strongest terms against the proposal. by Carey Kish, of Mount Desert Island, author of “AMC’s Best Day Hikes Along the Maine Coast” and author/editor of the “AMC Maine Mountain Guide.” Portland Press Herald op-ed The Appalachian Trail follows a Read More
Maine’s Solar Policy is More Costly than Expected. Lawmakers Can Lessen This Cost.
By Vaughan Woodruff, founder of Insource Renewables. He lives with his family in Pittsfield. Bangor Daily News op-ed During the past eight years, solar policy in Maine has been a polarizing topic in Augusta. Entering Gov. Paul LePage’s first term, solar rebates were available for residents and business owners. The state’s net metering policy, which requires Read More
Profits, Not Climate Benefits, are Driving CMP Transmission Proposal
The utility’s transmission line will harm Maine’s environment, economy and way of life – and will do nothing to reduce climate-disrupting pollution. by Dylan Voorhees, climate and clean energy director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine Portland Press Herald op-ed AUGUSTA — Climate disruption is the most serious threat to the environment in Maine, Read More
Start Listening, Folks: All-out Effort Needed to Prevent Climate Disaster
Our nation has made dramatic societal transformations in short periods of time when a dire situation, like global warming, has called for it. By Joe Hardy of Wells, a retired environmental educator, consultant and mediator Portland Press Herald op-ed WELLS — The recent report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was stunning in Read More
Maine DEP Tells CMP Its Application for 145-mile Power Line is Incomplete
The department says it cannot begin evaluating the $1 billion proposal until the company provides all of the mandatory information. by Doug Harlow Morning Sentinel news story Central Maine Power Co.’s plan to build a $1 billion, 145-mile transmission line through western Maine is facing another potential delay after the Maine Department of Environmental Protection Read More