Senator Peter Edgecomb, Chair Representative Craig Hickman, Chair Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry My name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Thank you for allowing us to present this testimony. Because this bill and LD 828 treat similar issues, we encourage 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.
Support of LD 1073, An Act to Lower Energy Costs and Increase Access to Solar Energy for Agricultural Businesses
Senator David Woodsome, Chair Representative Mark Dion, 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. Thank you for allowing us to present this testimony. We also appreciate Senator Saviello’s leadership on this issue and were Read More
Opposition to LD 1045, An Act to Modify the Laws Regarding the Collection and Recycling of Mercury-added Thermostats
Senator Saviello, Representative Welsh, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Sarah Lakeman and I am the Sustainable Maine Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I appreciate this opportunity to testify in opposition to LD 1045. While we oppose this bill, we do believe Read More
LePage Threatens Veto of Quick Fix to Efficiency Maine Funding Problem
He says the Legislature must approve his energy agenda before he will fix a clerical error that cut $38 million from energy-efficiency programs. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – In case there was any uncertainty, Gov. Paul LePage made it clear Friday that he will veto a bill to Read More
LePage Indicates He Will Not Support Democrats’ ‘Simple’ Energy Bill Fix
By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage said Friday that he doesn’t support a Democratic proposal that would fix what has been called a $38 million typo in a previously enacted energy bill that among other things provides almost twice that amount in funding for Efficiency Read More
Committee Rejects Plan to Split Bureau of Parks and Lands
by Nakell Williams WABI-TV news story The Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry rejected a part of the governor’s budget plan. It involves splitting the Bureau of Parks and Lands and placing public lands under forestry. Committee members say they didn’t get any supporting calls or e-mails from constituents. They also say they Read More
The Real Road to Nowhere Would be the East-west Corridor
It’s time the state realizes this would be the surest path to environmental and economic degradation. By Chris Buchanan, Special to the Press Herald Portland Press Herald op-ed BELGRADE — The proposed east-west transportation, communications and utility corridor has raised important questions regarding the state’s transportation policy. Two bills have been introduced by Maine legislators to ensure Read More
Lawmaker Unveils Plan to Fix Costly Energy Bill Typo
Omitted word cost Efficiency Maine $38 million WMTW-TV 8 news story AUGUSTA, Maine —A Republican lawmaker has unveiled his plan to fix a typo that cost a Maine energy program $38 million. State Rep. Ken Fredette, the House minority leader, was instrumental in the original passage of the energy bill. However, once that legislation made Read More
Maine Should be a Place Based on Laws, Not LePage’s Whims
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial Gov. Paul LePage was easily re-elected in November and he will no doubt leave his mark on the state and its government. However, this doesn’t give him license to ignore existing state laws or policies. After refusing to sign off on the issuance of bonds approved Read More
