NRCM news release Augusta, ME (December 1, 2020) — Maine Governor Janet Mills today announced the release of a new statewide Climate Action Plan detailing a series of actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. The new Plan is the result of more than a year Read More
energy efficiency
Why the Maine Climate Council is Key to Bold Climate Action
States are laboratories for policy innovation, and nowhere is that happening more in Maine than on clean energy and climate action. In 2019, Governor Janet Mills and bipartisan majorities of the Legislature passed new laws aimed at improving public health and strengthening the economy by reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. 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
A Victory for Energy Consumers and Climate Action
NRCM statement The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today completely rejected a proposal that would have benefited Central Maine Power (CMP) by doubling the fixed monthly charges for residential and small business customers over the next four years. The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) has been a party to this lengthy case because increased Read More
3 Reasons Maine Needs the Transportation and Climate Initiative Now!
Right now, 12 states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are developing a regional Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI) that could help create more affordable and healthier transportation options for Mainers and lead to less pollution from cars and trucks. Today the states released a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and results of economic modeling on Read More
News & Noteworthy — July – September 2019
News & Noteworthy September 2019 Timber company dropping hotly contested Moosehead development plan The timberland company Weyerhaeuser is asking to terminate a massive rezoning plan for the Moosehead Lake region that was the focus of years of debate and regulatory battles over development in Maine’s North Woods. Gov. Mills wants Maine carbon-neutral by 2045. What Read More
Trump Moves to Block States’ Rights to Set Clean Car Standards
NRCM News Release September 18, 2019 (Augusta, ME) – President Trump announced today he will attempt to block states, including Maine and a dozen others, which have adopted higher fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks. The move is a desperate attempt to roll back clean car standards which are supported by the automobile industry Read More
At Long Last, Maine Will Lead Again on Climate Change
Maine people understand the negative impacts of climate change. We live our lives and run our businesses close to the land and the sea. Our springs are rainier; summers are hotter; ticks and associated diseases are spreading; coastal flooding is more prevalent; beaches are eroding, and lobsters are moving north in search of cooler waters. Read More
NRCM Statement on Nomination of Phil Bartlett as PUC Chair
May 28, 2019 (Augusta, ME) – The Natural Resources Council of Maine released the following statement from Clean Energy Director Dylan Voorhees on Governor Mills’ nomination of Phil Bartlett as Chair of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC): “Phil Bartlett will provide the leadership on clean energy and energy efficiency that the PUC so desperately needs. Read More
