Municipal officials hope to develop plans for each community to reduce carbon footprints and counter the effects of global warming. by Kelley Bouchard, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story In less than 100 years, strolling from shop to shop along Commercial Street in Portland or running with your dog on Willard Beach in South Portland Read More
Law Keeping Maine as Part of RGGI Becomes Law Without Governor’s Signature
Mainebiz news story A bill passed unanimously by the Maine Legislature to remain part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative through 2030 became law without the governor’s signature. LD 1657, “An Act To Update the Allowance Budget for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative,” was prepared by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection after nine Northeast Read More
Maine Senate Votes Overwhelmingly to Support Solar Bill
Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Climate and Clean Energy Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “We thank and congratulate the Maine Senate for giving its overwhelming support to a common sense bill that protects consumers, creates jobs, and expands opportunities for community solar. With its vote of 28-5 (with 2 supportive Senators absent, forecasting a Read More
New Solar Rules Cause Headaches for Solar Users, Installers & Innovators
“The Maine Public Utilities Commission is out of control…” by Andy O’Brien Free Press news story Last week, Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted to move back the date to implement controversial new rules affecting rooftop solar users from May 1 to March 16. Under Maine’s current net-metering rules, homes and businesses can sell excess Read More
New Stronger Northeast Climate Pact Becomes Law
Today, a bill passed unanimously by the Maine Legislature has become law, reauthorizing Maine to remain part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) through 2030, and ensuring deeper pollution cuts from power plants. LD 1657, sponsored by Rep. Ralph Tucker, was prepared by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection after the nine northeast states Read More
My Maine This Week: Mandy Willett
We are delighted to welcome a brand new My Maine This Week contributor. All of these photos were taken by Mandy Willett of Winterport, Maine. Thank you, Mandy, for sharing these beautiful Maine photos with us! To see past My Maine This Week photos, or to submit a photo of your own to be featured Read More
Lawmakers Oppose New Fees on Maine Hybrid and Electric Cars
Democrats on the transportation committee reject a LePage administration proposal to make electric and hybrid vehicles more expensive to own in Maine. By Peter McGuire, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Democratic lawmakers rejected a proposal from Gov. Paul LePage’s administration to make owning hybrid and electric cars more expensive in a committee-level vote Read More
Advocates for Home Solar Projects Slam Decision by “Out-of-Control” PUC
Pressured by Gov. LePage, the commission decides new rules reducing compensation for rooftop-generated power will take effect March 16, six weeks earlier than the deadline it set two months ago. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Maine’s rooftop solar installers, who thought they had until April 30 to put up panels Read More
Bottle Bill Would Lower Deposit for Wine, Spirits
By Christopher Williams Sun Journal news story Advocates of a proposal that would lower the deposit on wine and liquor bottles by 10 cents say the measure would equalize returnables and simplify the process. State Rep. Ellie Espling, R-New Gloucester, the bill’s sponsor, wrote in a statement that she seeks “to implement a uniform refund Read More