By Susan Sharon MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine — In a move being criticized by environmental groups, the Maine Public Utilities Commission today voted 2-1 to severely limit funding for energy efficiency programs. If the ruling stands, the head of Efficiency Maine says he’ll have to slash programs to help people heat their homes and Read More
renewable energy
The Value of Power: Solar Goes Sky-high in Maine
Broad use of energy from the sun offers long-term benefits for the state, says an analysis for the Public Utilities Commission. Will the finding influence the debate over subsidies? By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story If solar energy gained widespread use in Maine it would have a greater total value than Read More
Maine PUC’s Solar Power Study Released Today Shows Enormous Benefits
Rooftop Solar Power Delivers More Value Than Electricity Derived From Power Plants News Release Augusta, ME – The Maine Public Utilities Commission has released a study that gives a quantitative value for solar power produced in Maine. The study was in response to legislation passed last year. It focused on “distributed” solar, meaning solar that is Read More
Angus King Tours Mt. Abram Renewable Energy Projects
by Susan Sharon Maine Public news story GREENWOOD, Maine — Maine Sen. Angus King visited the Mt. Abram Ski Resort here on Monday, where he got a look at the operation’s cutting-edge renewable energy upgrades that have reduced its carbon footprint by 760,000 pounds so far. The clean energy improvements include a 245-kilowatt solar project, Read More
Bill Would Create Tax Credits for Wood Pellet Boiler Purchases
by Christopher Crosby, Staff Writer Sun Journal news story GREENWOOD — U.S. Sen. Angus King announced Monday that he will introduce legislation that would give a boost to the state’s emerging biomass industry by lowering the hurdle for consumers to purchase wood pellet boilers. The bill, titled the Biomass Thermal Utilization Act, would issue residential Read More
Senator King at Mt. Abram Ski Area to Promote Clean Energy Solutions to Climate Change
Ski Area Showcases Investments in Solar, Biomass, Efficiency to Lower Costs and Emissions News release Greenwood, ME – Today U.S. Senator Angus King toured clean energy projects, including an 803-panel solar installation, wood pellet-fired heating system, and an electric car charging station, at the Mt. Abram ski area. King said clean energy solutions Read More
Legislature Considering Measures to Lower Solar Power Costs
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 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
A Different View of the Dip & Dash
I have been one of the people who has attended each of NRCM’s seven polar plunges on East End Beach in Portland. I was there when about a dozen people raced into the icy cold Atlantic to kick off NRCM’s 50th anniversary year in 2009, and I was there for this past event when more Read More