NRCM news release Augusta, ME – Governor Janet Mills today signed into law the repeal (LD 91) of an anti-solar gross metering policy enacted by her predecessor to stifle the development of solar energy in Maine. The change was heralded by the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) as an important first step in moving Read More
Governor Paul LePage
Mills Pulls Maine Out of Offshore Oil and Gas Group
Former Gov. Paul LePage joined the group in 2015 and was the only New England governor in the coalition, staffed by oil and gas lobbyists. by Scott Thistle, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Gov. Janet Mills said Monday that Maine will no longer participate in the Outer Continental Shelf Governors Coalition, Read More
Mills Signs Executive Order Reversing LePage Moratorium on Wind Energy Permits
The governor’s order opens the door for state agencies to issue permits that were put in limbo under her predecessor. By Scott Thistle, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Gov. Janet Mills has signed an executive order effectively ending a moratorium on wind turbine permits issued by her predecessor, Gov. Paul LePage. Read More
Blaine House to Show that Solar is a Good Deal
Mainers will get to see how they could benefit as the price for solar panels drops. Portland Press Herald editorial The Blaine House is not just the building where the governor lives. It’s also a place where the chief executive can make a point. So when then-Gov. Paul LePage wanted to promote the use of Read More
Bill to Tax Fossil Fuel Producers Among Dozens of Climate-Related Proposals Before Maine Legislature
by Steve Mistler Maine Public news story From carbon taxes to the Maine version of the Green New Deal, Democratic state lawmakers are pitching a slew of bills designed to address the threat of climate change. While Democrats have introduced climate bills before, the proposals had no real chance to become law during Republican Gov. Read More
Mills’ Call for Climate Action Big News for Environmental Leaders
Company leaders for one renewable energy business say LePage-era policy discouraged solar growth. They’re hopeful Gov. Mills will push for expansion of solar. by Don Carrigan News Center Maine news story Watch full news video. AUGUSTA, Maine — As Gov. Janet Mills starts work, she has made it clear that a top priority will be Read More
Maine PUC Stops Tax on Medium & Large Customers Using Their Own Solar Power
Determines “gross metering” costs ratepayers too much NRCM News Release Today the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) granted a petition from Insource Renewables to suspend so-called “gross metering” for medium and large electricity users, citing excessive costs to all ratepayers to implement the policy. “Gross metering” was adopted by the PUC two years ago to Read More
Land for Maine’s Future Needs Money
By George Smith Bangor Daily News column Governor Paul LePage hated public land and did everything he could to stop us from acquiring more of it, including refusing to support a bond issue for the Land for Maine’s Future, throughout his 8 years as governor. A reliable, well-funded LMF program remains essential to permanently protecting Read More
Maine’s Solar Policy is More Costly than Expected. Lawmakers Can Lessen This Cost.
By Vaughan Woodruff, founder of Insource Renewables. He lives with his family in Pittsfield. Bangor Daily News op-ed During the past eight years, solar policy in Maine has been a polarizing topic in Augusta. Entering Gov. Paul LePage’s first term, solar rebates were available for residents and business owners. The state’s net metering policy, which requires Read More
