by Scott Thistle, State Politics Editor Sun Journal news story AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage on Tuesday launched a fusillade of criticism against the Legislature’s Democratic majority for supporting bills that promote solar energy during one of the coldest winters in recent history. Rolling out a new proposal on energy, LePage said the focus Read More
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LePage: Cut Down More Public Trees to Pay for Heating Efficiency Programs.
The governor said that heat pumps, not solar rebates, are key to the state’s energy future. By Matt Byrne, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Gov. Paul LePage and officials at the state energy office announced plans Tuesday to increase logging on public lands and use the new revenue to help Mainers convert inefficient Read More
LePage: Harvest More Timber to Lower Heating Bills
by A.J. Higgins MPBN news story Gov. Paul LePage will submit a bill to the Legislature this week that, if approved, would pump more money into a home heating conversion fund. He would pay for it by increasing the timber harvest limits on state-owned land. But critics of the plan say that’s an improper use Read More
Plan to Use State Timber Money for Energy Rebates Under Attack
WGME news story AUGUSTA (WGME) — It’s one of Maine’s largest natural resources. Trees. And Governor Paul LePage wants to use Maine’s trees to lower your energy costs. The governor wants to increase commercial logging on state-owned public land, and use the additional money to help people convert to more efficient home heating systems. Governor Read More
Maine Lawmakers Should Pass Solar Power Rebate Bill
More people would invest in this technology if there were a timely incentive from the state. Portland Press Herald editorial Maine lags behind two-thirds of the states when it comes to installed solar power per capita, and it’s not for the reason you probably think. It’s not because we are so far north or have Read More
Homeowners, and Business and Conservation Leaders, Call on Legislature to Pass Solar Legislation
Urge legislators to keep Maine from lagging on solar energy and jobs News release by Natural Resources Council of Maine and Maine Association of Building Professionals Augusta, ME—Dozens of Maine homeowners and small business owners assembled at the State House today to call on legislators to pass solar legislation this session that will lower barriers Read More
Maine Bill Aims to Boost Solar Power Development
by Patty B. Wight MPBN radio news story The heat of the sun may seem far away on this bitterly cold day. But it was the focus of debate in the Legislature’s Energy and Utilities Committee. A new bill aims to make solar power more affordable and accessible for Mainers. But opponents question the push Read More
Support of LD 1652, An Act to Support Solar Energy Development in Maine
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. I will begin by stating that, for NRCM, passage of a solid solar power bill is a top priority for the energy committee this session. We believe Read More
Solar Bill Fuels Debate on Maine’s Energy Future
by Alanna Durkin, Associated Press Boston Globe news story (AP) — A bill aimed at boosting solar energy development in Maine will strengthen the economy by creating jobs, protect the environment by reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and bring the state up to speed with the rest of New England in harnessing the sun’s Read More
