Other bills include proposals to require MaineCare to provide coverage for legal abortion services, and to make vehicle inspections on new cars valid for two years. by Scott Thistle, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The Maine Legislature is back to work and already has 25 bills moving through the process, including one that 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.
A Welcome Change for Maine’s Climate
There were many reasons to celebrate the inauguration of Governor Janet Mills on Wednesday evening, January 2. The fact that she is the first woman to hold the post is already an important part of Maine’s story and history. For anyone who cares deeply about protecting Maine’s environment, Governor Mills’ speech has further reason to Read More
The Big Picture: Let’s Get Going Again
The elections are now behind us and it’s time to get going again. The Natural Resources Council of Maine is committed to working with the new Mills Administration and all new (and former) legislators to move forward. We are excited to start making serious progress protecting our environment. We have spent too much time in 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
My Summer Internship with NRCM
Today is my last day of work as a summer intern for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the conclusion to a wildly enjoyable summer. I am a rising junior at Bowdoin College studying English and Environmental Studies. NRCM provided an incredible and unique opportunity to marry the two disciplines, allowing me to focus a Read More
Maine Lawmakers Tell Massachusetts Officials to Reject CMP Project
By Fred Bever & Keith Shortall Maine Public news story A bipartisan group of influential Maine lawmakers is telling Massachusetts regulators to reject Central Maine Power’s (CMP) proposal to build a big transmission line through western Maine. The 145-mile high voltage line would bring electricity from Hydro-Québec’s dam system in Canada down to Massachusetts consumers. Read More
Maine Lawmakers Voice Objections to CMP Power Line in Letter to Massachusetts Regulators
The co-chairmen of two legislative committees say they don’t think the 145-mile transmission line proposed by CMP would benefit Maine. By Ray Routhier, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The bipartisan leaders of two legislative committees who disapprove of a proposed 145-mile power transmission line through western Maine sent a letter to regulators in Read More
Attempt to Reverse LePage Solar Policy Veto Fails (Again) in Maine
The second attempt to overturn the idiosyncratic governor’s veto of a solar policy fix has again failed by two votes. by Christian Roselund PV magazine news story The Maine Legislature’s attempt to mitigate the dismantling of net metering under Governor LePage (R) died yesterday, with a second attempt to overturn a veto of solar policy Read More
Maine Legislature Fails to Override LePage Solar Veto
A few extremists voted to keep governor’s extreme anti-solar policies Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Clean Energy Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “Sadly, today, by just two votes, the Maine House of Representatives again failed to overturn the governor’s veto of this year’s solar bill. Today, LePage’s extreme legislative allies again resorted to desperate tactics to thwart the will of the people and this Read More
