Diverse interest groups back the 12-fold expansion, but LePage’s energy office says it includes subsidies that harm other ratepayers, setting up a legislative battle. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story A compromise proposal to boost solar power development in Maine 12-fold over five years is being opposed by Gov. Paul LePage, 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.
Freeport Middle Schoolers Take Action for Maine’s Environment
On Tuesday, March 1st, I had the huge privilege of accompanying a group of Freeport Middle School students to NRCM’s Citizen Action Day. These students are part of Freeport Middle School’s Interact Club, one of the eight groups that received an NRCM “Engaging Maine Middle School Students in Protecting the Nature of Maine” grant.
LePage’s Bill Aims to Prevent National Monument Status for North Woods
By A.J. Higgins MPBN news story Plans to preserve large sections of Maine’s North Woods for a future national park could be undermined by a bill advanced by Gov. Paul LePage. The bill targets efforts by Roxanne Quimby and her son Lucas St. Clair, who have held discussions with federal officials that could lead to Read More
National Park Proponents, Opponents Spar at Monument Bill Hearing
By Nick Sambides Jr., BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — The first hearing on Wednesday on a bill that would effectively bar national monuments from Maine featured 2½ hours of far-ranging debate over the future of the state’s northern woodlands and many of its industries. The testimony heard by the Legislature’s Read More
Can Maine Thread the Political Needle on Solar Policy?
By Darren Fishell, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine — Solar power in Maine is in for some growing pains. As the industry matures and solar generation gets cheaper, Maine policymakers are considering what to do about a system of incentives set up to encourage solar’s earliest adopters. A group including the Read More
Ratepayers Save Big, Jobs Triple Under Dramatic Solar Plan for Maine, Advocates Say
A coalition lays out the strategies and benefits of increasing power projects by more than tenfold and ending net metering. By Steve Mistler, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Advocates for a plan to increase solar energy projects in Maine by more than tenfold over the next five years said Thursday that Read More
Breakthrough for Solar Power in Maine!
Comprehensive new bill to expand solar power By Emmie Theberge and Dylan Voorhees, NRCM Clean Energy staff We’re happy to report that after laying the groundwork for years, and after months of intense work by many stakeholders, we’ve helped develop a strong comprehensive solar bill with broad support! The bill (LD 1649) would give Maine a Read More
Maine Lawmakers Debate Changes to Waste Disposal Laws
By Mal Leary MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine – Every day more than 4 pounds of waste is generated by every man, woman and child in Maine. That covers everything from food scraps to batteries and packaging, and a lot more. Maine currently recycles some items, burns some for energy and landfills a lot. The Read More
Hospitals Speak Out Against Energy Efficiency Cuts
News Center Maine TV news story BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Representatives from some of Eastern Maine’s hospitals say they don’t want the state legislature to take away money given to them from a regional energy efficiency program. They, along with the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) say investing that money in energy saving Read More
