Senator David Woodsome, Chair Representative Seth Berry, Chair Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities & Technology My name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Thank you for allowing me to present this testimony. NRCM has been a steady supporter of Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard Read More
renewable energy
Environmental Groups to Make Hard Push to Reverse Maine’s New Solar Rules
They say the PUC’s ‘extreme’ changes, which are opposed by the governor for different reasons, will stifle industry investment and were improperly adopted. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Maine’s largest environmental organization pledged Wednesday to “pursue every opportunity” to reverse controversial solar energy rules adopted by the state Read More
PUC Finalizes Extreme Anti-solar Rules
NRCM Prepared to Fight to Overturn Them in the Legislature Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Climate and Clean Energy Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “The Maine Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC’s) new net metering rules include some of the most extreme anti-solar elements in the nation. They would roll back solar net metering, destroying good Maine Read More
UNH, UMaine Climate Scientists: Trump Era Brings Challenges
By Deborah McDermott Seacoast Online news story This is a troubling time to be a climate scientist, say professors from the University of New Hampshire and the University of Maine. It is a time of unease and uncertainty, they say, as the Trump administration signals research, data collection and scientific inquiry could be under attack. Read More
Maine Regulators Approve Rolling Back Solar Credits
by Michael Shepherd Bangor Daily News news article AUGUSTA, Maine — It didn’t go far enough for Gov. Paul LePage, but Maine utility regulators rankled advocates on Tuesday when they rolled back a policy allowing homeowners with solar panels to be credited for excess power sold to the grid. The move was opposed by pro-solar Read More
Maine’s Largest Solar Farm Prepares to Power Up
The project in Madison, more than twice the size of others in the state, will supply 3,000 homes and small businesses. By Colin Ellis, Central Maine newspapers staff writer Portland Press Herald news story MADISON — The state’s largest solar farm could be fully operational this week. The solar energy project in the Madison Business Gateway Read More
A Strong Solar Industry Will Grow Our Economy, Keep Our Energy Dollars Here
By David Woodsome and Martin Grohman, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Maine’s interest in energy independence is rooted in some of our greatest natural resources, such as water and wood. Increasingly, more Mainers are turning to another abundant resource — the sun. All Mainers benefit when homeowners and businesses such as Smith’s Read More
Despite Political Shifts, Solar Decision Expected by Year’s End in Maine
A proposal to limit incentives for homeowners is likely strengthened in wake of state and federal election results. by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Clean-energy advocates in Maine are seeking a path forward to save a controversial financial incentive for rooftop solar panels, following an election that might make it harder Read More
Global Expedition Arrives in Portland from the Arctic to Urge Mainers to Take Strong Action on Climate Change
Reporting from the Front Lines of Climate Change, Explorers Underscore Urgent Need for Climate Action News Release Portland, Maine – October 28, 2016 – Today, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) hosted a group of courageous sailors arriving in Portland Harbor aboard their 50-foot sailboat, the S/V Pachamama, after traversing the Northwest Passage Read More
