NRCM news release June 17, 2019 (Augusta, ME) – The Maine Legislature today gave initial approval to a bipartisan solar energy bill (LD 1711) that will deliver a comprehensive reboot to Maine’s solar policies and reduce barriers that are preventing more Mainers from accessing clean, affordable solar power. This morning, the Maine Senate voted 32-2 Read More
Maine Legislature
The Natural Resources Council of Maine reviews every bill being considered by the Maine Legislature to determine which ones deserve support and which ones should be opposed based on their potential impact on Maine’s environment. Read more about the bills we are following and taking action on.
Maine Bans Single-use Plastic Bags
Makes Switch to Reusable Shopping Bags June 17, 2019 (Augusta, ME) — Maine has become the third state in the nation to ban the use of single-use plastic shopping bags statewide. The move comes shortly after the state became the first in the nation to ban polystyrene foam food containers. Today, Governor Janet Mills signed Read More
NRCM Testimony in Support of the Nomination of Phillip Bartlett, III for Public Utilities Commission
Senator Lawrence, Representative Berry and other members of the Energy, Utilities and Technology (EUT) Committee, my name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). We testify in strong support of the nomination of Mr. Bartlett for the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and believe Read More
Support of LD 1830, An Act Establishing the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future
Senator Claxton, Representative Martin, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government, my name is Pete Didisheim. I am the Advocacy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I appreciate this opportunity to testify on behalf of our 20,000 members and supporters in support of LD 1830, An Act Establishing Read More
Maine House Passes Ban on Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling
NRCM news release June 3, 2019 (Augusta, ME) — The Maine House of Representatives today passed a bill (LD 955) to ban offshore oil and gas drilling and exploration in Maine’s ocean waters. In January 2018, the U.S. Department of Interior proposed to vastly expand offshore drilling and exploration, including off the coast of Maine, Read More
Key Bill to Jump-start Solar Energy in Maine Approved by Committee
Augusta, ME (May 30, 2019) – A bipartisan bill aimed at sparking the development of solar energy in Maine received approval from the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities & Technology Committee (EUT) late last night. LD 1711, sponsored by Senator Dana Dow (R-Lincoln), would stimulate solar energy across the state by breaking down outdated barriers to investment Read More
NRCM Testimony in Support of LD 1679, the Governor’s Climate Bill
Senator Brownie Carson, Chair Representative Ralph Tucker, Chair Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources My name is Lisa Pohlmann, CEO of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. NRCM strongly supports LD 1679 because it is the right vehicle to jump-start Maine’s efforts to tackle climate change in ways that will benefit Maine people, Read More
Bipartisan Bill Would Accelerate Investment in Solar Energy Across Maine
News release May 16, 2019 (Augusta, ME) – For the last five years Maine has ranked last in New England for solar energy generation and number of solar jobs per capita. A new bipartisan bill that received a public hearing today aims to reverse that trend by accelerating the development of more than 400 megawatts Read More
Bill Would Boost Local Clean Energy Jobs, Reduce Air Pollution, and Advance Energy Independence
Maine Renewable Energy Association | Professional Logging Contractors of Maine | Brookfield Renewable | Longroad Energy | Sierra Club of Maine | Union of Concerned Scientists | Natural Resources Council of Maine | The Nature Conservancy in Maine | Maine Conservation Alliance | ReEnergy | Sargent Corporation News release May 7, 2019 (Augusta, ME) – Read More
