In the month since the war in Iran began, it has become clear that it will have major economic impacts affecting Maine families and businesses. At the top of the list is instability in global oil and gas markets that have come with the closing of the Strait of Hormuz – a critical trade route Read More
About Jack Shapiro, Climate & Clean Energy Director
Four Ways Maine Can Address the Energy Impact of Data Centers
The construction of new data centers has attracted a lot of attention around the country, and here in Maine. Large data centers, whether they’re built to support artificial intelligence (AI) development, cryptocurrency mining, or other purposes, can have sizeable impacts on surrounding communities, including the use of enormous amounts of electricity. While other states have Read More
How the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Invests in Maine
Maine people have always valued our woods, waters, and wildlife, tried to reduce waste whenever possible, and worked to find solutions that lower costs so families and businesses wherever we are in the state can flourish. Maine’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) program is a great example of our shared values. RGGI Read More
What You Should Know About Offshore Wind in Maine
Rather than addressing the root causes of high energy costs for Mainers (hint: it’s our over-reliance on fossil fuels), some opponents of clean energy have chosen to spread misinformation. This has led to widespread confusion without offering solutions to the energy affordability issues facing Maine families every day. One favorite target for these false Read More
How EPA’s Proposal to Scrap Endangerment Finding Impacts Maine
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week announced that it plans to scrap its legal authority to address the threat of climate change. It’s an inexplicable move in an era of rising temperatures, escalating extreme weather, and climate-linked damage to infrastructure, communities, and human life. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is proposing to overturn the Read More
Efficiency Maine’s New Plan Will Deliver Hundreds of Millions in Savings
How could using more electricity lower electricity rates? Keep reading to find out. On April 23, 2025, the Maine Public Utilities Commission approved a new three-year investment plan from the Efficiency Maine Trust (Efficiency Maine) that will curb pollution and make our state more efficient and more affordable. For decades, energy efficiency has been Read More
Federal Clean Energy Rollbacks Could Raise Maine Electricity Costs
Here’s how the Trump Administration’s attacks on American-made clean energy will make electricity in Maine more expensive and less reliable: There are a lot of actions on energy and the environment being taken by the Trump Administration these days, many of which will have real consequences for Maine people, local businesses, and our communities. Here, Read More
How Offshore Wind Can Lower Electricity Prices in New England
The cold streaks Mainers have faced in recent weeks, combined with President Trump’s early actions blocking homegrown wind energy and the delivery of funding already approved by Congress to help our communities, provide an opportunity to revisit the connection between wind power and energy costs. January 21st was a great example of how offshore wind Read More
Why NRCM is Supporting an Offshore Wind Port on Sears Island
The Natural Resources Council of Maine supports a proposed offshore wind (OSW) port on Sears Island because it is our best chance to create a new clean energy industry for Maine that helps us become more energy independent, reduce harmful air pollution, and create thousands of new good-paying jobs. In this post, we explain the Read More
