A compromise plan would boost private investment and create good jobs in Maine. Portland Press Herald editorial One of the best-selling books on negotiating is the 1981 title by Roger Fisher and William Ury called “Getting to Yes.” In it, the authors call for putting aside personalities and entrenched positions, and using creativity to find Read More
renewable energy
Solar Power Development Bill Clears Legislative Committee on Party-line Vote
Democrats prevail to push the bill ahead, but Gov. Paul LePage’s intent to veto the measure means it will probably fail. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA –– A bill that would greatly expand solar energy development in Maine was passed Tuesday by a legislative committee, but the party-line vote Read More
Mill Closures Make Case for Solar Expansion Now
The right response to job loss in legacy businesses is helping new industries grow. Portland Press Herald editorial As if it weren’t bad enough to hear that the Madison Paper Industries plant would shut down in May, putting 214 people out of work, Gov. LePage made it worse: Five years into the job, Maine’s chief Read More
Teaching and Living Sustainability in Falmouth Elementary Schools
I am a first grade teacher in the largest K-5 elementary school in the state, Falmouth Elementary School. I have brought many sustainability efforts to the children and adults at the school. This endeavor began more than 10 years ago with the introduction by ecomaine of single-stream recycling in Falmouth. Once the program was available in Read More
NRCM Testimony In Support of LD 1649, “An Act to Modernize Maine’s Solar Power Policy and Encourage Economic Development”
Senator David Woodsome, Chair Representative Mark Dion, 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 us to present this testimony. NRCM has been working intensely for almost a year with scores Read More
Solar Power Bill Faces Key Legislative Hearing
The proposal to pave the way for solar development has the support of utility companies, environmentalists and solar installers, but Gov. Paul LePage’s opposition may doom the measure. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Clean energy advocates and their allies were gearing up on Wednesday to promote a proposed Read More
Solar Power Compromise Fairly Shares Costs, Benefits
Lawmakers should not miss this opportunity to responsibly expand renewable power. Portland Press Herald editorial Maine lawmakers have a great opportunity to fairly distribute the costs and benefits of solar power, setting a five-year course that would expand use of renewable energy in a sustainable way. That is, if they don’t let politics get in Read More
LePage Opposes Compromise to Rapidly Expand Solar Power
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
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
