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.
Farmington Rethinks Endorsement of Quebec to Massachusetts Power Line
In a letter, Gov. Paul LePage said four lawmakers who wrote to Massachusetts expressing their opposition to the New England Clean Energy Connect project “may now have to deal with reprimands.” by Rachel Ohm, Staff Writer Central Maine newspaper news story FARMINGTON — Town officials are rethinking their endorsement of the New England Clean Energy Read More
Climate Change to Have Drastic Effects on Gulf of Maine Lobster and Clam Fisheries, Studies Say
New work by academic researchers details how warming waters will drive some of the state’s key commercial species north and expose others to predators. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Two new scientific studies are highlighting the current and future impacts that rising ocean temperatures will have on lobster, Read More
NextEra Energy Moves Forward on First of Four Large Maine Solar Farms
by Maureen Milliken Mainebiz news story When NextEra Energy’s planned 20 megawatt solar project in Fairfield received Maine Department of Environmental Protection approval in last month, it was the first of several large-scale projects planned for Maine. The solar array is the largest approved by the department in the state so far, but if the Read More
Maine Lawmakers Tell Massachusetts Officials to Reject CMP Project
By Fred Bever & Keith Shortall Maine Public news story A bipartisan group of influential Maine lawmakers is telling Massachusetts regulators to reject Central Maine Power’s (CMP) proposal to build a big transmission line through western Maine. The 145-mile high voltage line would bring electricity from Hydro-Québec’s dam system in Canada down to Massachusetts consumers. Read More
Maine Lawmakers Voice Objections to CMP Power Line in Letter to Massachusetts Regulators
The co-chairmen of two legislative committees say they don’t think the 145-mile transmission line proposed by CMP would benefit Maine. By Ray Routhier, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The bipartisan leaders of two legislative committees who disapprove of a proposed 145-mile power transmission line through western Maine sent a letter to regulators in Read More
CMP Faces Backlash Over 145-Mile Transmission Line from Environmentalists and Power Plants Alike
By Fred Bever Maine Public news story Most of the time, environmental advocates and the owners of fossil-fuel power plants battle over how much pollution is acceptable, given the need to keep the lights on. But in Maine, they are now aligning against a common enemy – Central Maine Power (CMP). CMP wants to build Read More
June Trial Set for Lawsuit Over South Portland’s “Clear Skies” Law
by Juliette Laaka The Forecaster news story SOUTH PORTLAND — The lawsuit challenging the city’s Clear Skies Ordinance is scheduled to go to trial June 18 in U.S. District Court. The City Council transferred more than half a million dollars to the ordinance defense fund Tuesday in anticipation of the trial, and approved zoning changes Read More
Opponents File Arguments with State to Scuttle or Reshape CMP Plan for 145-mile Power Line
They cite job losses, idled power plants, increased pollution and canceled solar and wind projects as potential impacts of the transmission line proposed by Central Maine Power’s parent company. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Opponents of a plan to build a 145-mile transmission line through western Maine filed their objections Read More
CMP Transmission Project Expected to Fatten Parent Avangrid’s Bottom Line
The 145-mile high-voltage line still needs approval from the Maine Public Utilities Commission, but stock analysts see a boost to the company on the horizon. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The parent company of Central Maine Power stands to earn roughly $60 million a year in net income from building Read More
