by Michael Shepherd Bangor Daily News news article AUGUSTA, Maine — It didn’t go far enough for Gov. Paul LePage, but Maine utility regulators rankled advocates on Tuesday when they rolled back a policy allowing homeowners with solar panels to be credited for excess power sold to the grid. The move was opposed by pro-solar Read More
State House Watch
Working for legislation to protect Maine’s environment is an essential part of NRCM’s mission for the people of Maine. During the legislative session, we are at the Maine State House, just a block from our office, to work for new safeguards and also to defend existing legislation that protects Maine’s land, air, water, and wildlife.
PUC Approves Revised Solar Power Incentives
by Fred Bever Maine Public news story State regulators Tuesday approved new rules for the incentives received by Maine residents who install solar-power systems. The Public Utilities Commission’s plan won’t take effect until next year, and in the meantime, the latest action is getting a thumbs down from lawmakers and solar advocates who support strong Read More
Maine Regulators Seek Middle Ground in Residential Solar Incentives
by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Solar installers decry the new PUC rule, foreshadowing a fresh fight in the Legislature. HALLOWELL — Homeowners with solar-electric panels would be compensated for the power they produce at a full retail rate for 15 years, but those who wait until 2018 and a period Read More
LePage Withdraws “Provocative” Nomination to Land for Maine’s Future Board
The governor gives no reason why former lawmaker Mike Timmons of Cumberland is no longer his choice for the board. By Scott Thistle, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Gov. Paul LePage abruptly withdrew his nomination of a former state lawmaker to the Land for Maine’s Future board on Friday, giving no reason for Read More
Conservation Leaders Unveil 2017 Environmental Priorities
Conservation leaders met at the state house Tuesday to unveil their environmental priorities for this legislative session.
LePage Rebuffs Environmental Groups with His Nominee to Land Board
Gov. Paul LePage has nominated a former state lawmaker criticized for voting against a Land for Maine’s Future funding bill to serve on the land conservation program’s board.
Maine BEP Provisionally Adopts Controversial Mining Rules Despite Overwhelming Citizen Opposition
Record Shows Opponents Outnumber Proponents: 441-2 News release Augusta, Maine – Today the Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) voted unanimously to provisionally adopt weak rules that would govern metal mining in Maine. Because metal mining poses such a serious threat to water quality, these rules were opposed 441-2 by Maine scientists, business people, conservation groups, Read More
Critics Say Maine Lawmakers’ ‘Skeleton Bills’ Lack Transparency
Vague one-sentence drafts, totaling close to 100 each legislative session, can be deceptive and exclude the public from important policy discussions, say lawmakers and lobbyists. by Marina Villeneuve Associated Press news story AUGUSTA — With the annual return of legislators to the Maine State House comes the predictable one-sentence draft bills that give an idea Read More
Renewable Power Standards Face Uncertain Future
By Fred Bever Maine Public news story A consumer subsidy for renewable power in Maine may be ending — or at least changing. It’s called the Class 1 Renewable Portfolio Standards program, and many stakeholders, including environmentalists, say it’s ready for reform. Your electric bill pays for a lot of things: the electricity itself, the Read More
