June 30, 2025 (Augusta, ME) — Maine’s leading nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to protecting the environment, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), today called on Senator Susan Collins to vote against a massive bill that seeks to kill the growing domestic clean energy industry and underfund America’s public lands—programs that are of great importance to the American people.
Last-minute changes to the Senate version of the so-called “reconciliation bill” include a new surprise tax on clean energy projects while accelerating repeal of clean energy tax credits that have created new jobs, supported billions in investments in Maine, and helped Mainers save money on their electricity bills.
Overall, the bill would raise the national debt by more than three trillion dollars by giving tax breaks to America’s ultra-wealthiest people. It encourages new coal, oil, and gas drilling, which will make climate change, and its demonstrated impacts in Maine and beyond, even worse.
NRCM released the following statement from Federal Policy Advocate Anya Fetcher:
“By every measure this bill is a disaster for the hard-working people of Maine, and it will be especially devastating for the clean air and water that is central to our way of life. We’re asking Senator Collins to stand up for Maine by voting no. Instead of protecting our natural resources, this bill will lead to more pollution, higher electricity prices, more extreme weather impacts on communities, and more threats to our national parks and public lands.
Senator Collins must act now to protect good-paying clean energy jobs for Maine people and lower electricity bills for our working families, towns, and businesses by standing with her Republican colleagues who are working to preserve previously approved clean energy investments.”
According to MIT/Rhodium Group Clean Investment Monitor data, federal clean energy investments have already supported $2.96 billion in direct and induced public and private investments in Maine.
53 organizations and leaders from across Maine recently wrote a letter calling on Senator Collins to oppose cuts to basic health care, clean energy investments, and programs that support working families.
