by Mal Leary MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine could increase the use of solar power for electricity, heating and cooling homes under measures before the state Legislature this year. Among the proposals under consideration, allowing more cooperation between individuals to generate solar energy, and providing rebates to lower costs and improve affordability. Advocates 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 Wind Industry Boasts 1,560 Jobs, $532 Million in Spending
The industry report comes at a time of political uncertainty over a key federal tax credit and energy policy in the Legislature. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Read the wind energy report Wind power companies have spent more than $532 million on projects in Maine over the past eight years Read More
Maine Lagging Behind in Solar Energy
News Center Maine news story SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — According to the Natural Resources Council of Maine, solar panels surged in popularity in the state and across the country in 2014, but Maine is still lagging due to lack of solar energy policy. Business leaders and clean energy experts met at the Days Read More
U.S. Solar Installations Surge in 2014: Maine Losing Out
“There is no question that Maine businesses and people want to go solar,” said Dylan Voorhees, Clean Energy Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine.
We Stand Ready: A Post-Election Message
The elections are behind us, and we face big challenges. The LePage Administration has proven hostile toward existing environmental protections for the last four years and has put up numerous roadblocks to progress. In addition, we have lost some strong advocates at the Legislature as a result of the elections. That is the bad news. Read More
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Marks Milestone 25th Carbon Auction
New Reports Demonstrate Success of RGGI for Maine People, Business, Economy NRCM news release Westbrook, ME – Businesses and energy leaders gathered with the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) today to celebrate the success of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative or RGGI. The multistate program to limit climate-changing carbon pollution from power plants achieved Read More
Canadian Mine Disaster Offers Maine a Lesson: Strong Regulations, Enforcement are Critical
By Nick Bennett, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed This year, the Maine Legislature rejected weak regulations that would have allowed mining companies to pollute our waters and shift massive cleanup costs to Maine taxpayers. A recent mine disaster in Canada shows that lawmakers made the right decision. The disaster occurred when the Read More
Preserve Maine’s Role in Protecting Our Kids from Toxic Chemicals
By Janet Mills, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Ever wonder what’s in that baby bottle your infant uses? The teether she chews on? The toys your kids climb on and fall on, and the ones they put in their mouths? More and more families are concerned about health and safety as kids’ Read More
Solar Energy Bill Becomes Law without Governor’s Signature
Marking an Important Step for Maine Energy Policy Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Clean Energy Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “Governor LePage has allowed a solar energy bill that passed through the Legislature with overwhelming support to become law without his signature. This is good news for our economy, clean air, and Maine’s efforts Read More
