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
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.
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 the Nomination of Melanie Loyzim to Serve as DEP Commissioner
Senator Brenner, Representative Tucker, and distinguished members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. My name is Pete Didisheim. I am the Advocacy Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and I am pleased to testify today in support of the governor’s nomination of Melanie Loyzim to serve as Commissioner for the Department of Read More
Reflections on the 2021 Maine Legislature
If there’s one thing that’s for certain about 2021, it’ll be like no other we’ve experienced in our decades advocating for the environment. With a new Administration in Washington and Maine’s 130th legislative session kicking off, we have an opportunity for a reset, both in tone and substance. That’s how the Natural Resources Council of Read More
In Support of LD 1750, “An Act to Establish Appliance Energy and Water Standards”
Senator Carson, Representative Tucker, and other members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, my name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Climate and Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM strongly supports this bill as an extremely cost-effective way to lower utility bills for consumers, reduce waste and Read More
Support of LD 1893, An Act To Require a Lease of Public Lands To Be Based on Reasonable Market Value and To Require Approval of Such Leases for Commercial Purposes
Senator Dill, Representative Hickman, and members of the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry: My name is Nick Bennett and I am the staff scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 25,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in support of LD 1893 Read More
In Support of LD 1779, An Act To Establish Standards for Operation and Maintenance and Asset Management for Publicly Owned Treatment Works and Municipal Satellite Collection Systems
Senator Carson, Representative Tucker, and members of the Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee. My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the Staff Scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 25,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in support of LD 1779, Read More
Support of LD 1894, An Act to Incentivize the Purchase of Electric Public School Buses
Senator Millett, Representative Kornfield, and other members of the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, my name is Sue Ely and I live in Yarmouth and work here in Augusta. I am the Climate and Clean Energy Staff Attorney for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), testifying on behalf of our more than 25,000 Read More