NRCM News Release Today, at a State House news conference, a diverse group of Maine business leaders touted the role energy efficiency plays in reducing their costs and improving the health and competitiveness of their businesses. These leaders released a letter signed by nearly 250 Maine businesses, urging Maine lawmakers to “make energy efficiency a priority Read More
renewable energy
Support of LD 1253, An Act to Amend the Laws Governing the Enforcement of Statewide Uniform Building Codes
by Dylan Voorhees, NRCM Clean Energy Director Senator Rector and Representative Prescott, Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony today regarding Maine’s Uniform Building & Energy Code. We support the proposed legislation and believe it is the appropriate kind of approach to making adjustments that improve implementation of Maine’s code. Should the committee identify Read More
Moving Away From Coal and Toward Solar and Wind
Although the coal, oil, and utility lobby spent $500 million over the past two years to defeat comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation, the shift to clean energy is underway and inevitable. Two big developments toward clean energy are worth noting. The New York Times reports that there is a growing movement in the Navajo Read More
Maine’s Transmission Settlement is a Better Path Toward More Efficiency, Clean Energy, and Reliability
NRCM Statement Today the Maine Public Utilities Commission gave preliminary approval to a settlement agreement regarding Central Maine Power’s (CMP) large transmission reliability proposal (entitled the Maine Power Reliability Project.) The Natural Resources Council of Maine has been an intervener in this case over the last two years. NRCM believes this settlement puts Maine on Read More
Governor Baldacci Signs An Act to Improve Maine’s Air Quality and Reduce Regional Haze
Governor signs bill to improve air quality by reducing sulfur levels in oil Today Governor Baldacci signed legislation that will help cut air pollution by reducing the sulfur level allowed in heating oil and related oil products used by industry. Improving air quality continues to be a top concern in Maine. The legislation was a Read More
NRCM Testimony In Support of LD 1810, An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Governor’s Ocean Energy Task Force
Senator Hobbins and Representative Hinck, The Natural Resources Council of Maine appreciates this opportunity to testify on this important legislation. We commend the Governor’s Ocean Energy Task Force and its chairs for their considerable and important work. We support the broad and bold vision this legislation presents for a fundamental shift to renewable energy for Read More
Conservation Groups Offer Partial Support for Proposed Expansion of Kibby Mountain Wind Project
Appalachian Mountain Club, Maine Audubon, and Natural Resources Council of Maine support additional eight wind turbines but oppose seven wind turbines proposed for sensitive ecological area NRCM – Appalachian Mountain Club – Maine Audubon CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine — At a public hearing on wind power held today by the Land Use Regulation Commission, the Appalachian Read More
40 Groups Call for Climate and Clean Energy Legislation
Statement by NRCM Executive Director Brownie Carson Good afternoon. My name is Brownie Carson. I am the Executive Director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and I am pleased to be here today representing one of the 40 organizations that are calling on the U.S. Congress to pass federal climate and clean energy legislation Read More
Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Wind Power
And passage of federal climate and energy legislation NRCM news release A recent poll conducted by Portland-based Critical Insights shows that 90% of Maine people support the development of wind power as a source of electricity. Nearly nine in ten Mainers agree that wind power can improve energy security and reduce Maine’s dependence on fossil Read More