June 24, 2025, was the hottest day in a record-breaking heat wave that swept New England and pushed demand on our regional power grid to near-record highs. It’s exactly during heat waves like this, when demand for electricity surges due to air conditioning, that the capacity of our electricity system is strained to its Read More
Clean Energy
Clean energy improves Maine's air quality and reduces climate-changing pollution throughout the state of Maine and the greater New England region. That’s why NRCM is a steadfast advocate for state policies and initiatives that benefit Maine’s environment.
NRCM’s climate and clean energy work is focused on where we can have the greatest impact: electric vehicles, clean and renewable energy production, and greater energy efficiency.
Our clean energy work is critical to reducing Maine’s environmental problems and adverse affects to our health. Including high asthma rates, more “bad air days,” rising sea levels due to climate change that threaten coastal communities, and threats to our fall foliage, skiing, and our vital tourism-based industry.
NRCM makes certain that Maine's elected officials and other decision-makers are kept updated about leading information related to global warming pollution, clean energy technologies, and steps Maine can take to ensure clean air for generations to come.
Senator Collins Must Vote No on Reconciliation Bill
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 Read More
Update: Pressure Rises in Maine to Oppose Cutbacks in Reconciliation Bill
The U.S. Senate is expected to vote soon on the reconciliation budget bill that would increase the national debt by trillions and give billionaires tax breaks while increasing costs for working families. Pressure is ramping up on Senator Susan Collins to oppose the most drastic environmental rollbacks in the bill and join her Republican colleagues Read More
Maine Legislature Passes Bill for 100% Clean Electricity by 2040
June 18, 2025 (Augusta, ME) – The Maine House and Senate have passed a bill that aims to reduce the state’s reliance on expensive oil and gas by ensuring homes, businesses, and vehicles are powered with 100% clean, affordable electricity by 2040. When signed into law by Governor Janet Mills, LD 1868 will expand Maine’s existing Read More
Solar Supporters to Lawmakers: Clean Energy Powers Jobs, Cuts Costs for Maine Families
Dozens gather at State House to urge clean energy investments Power Maine Forward news release AUGUSTA, ME – More than a hundred Mainers gathered at the State House on Thursday to remind lawmakers that clean energy creates jobs and reduces costs for working families. The supporters of clean energy lined the halls of the State Read More
Maine-based Offshore Wind Port Would Generate 6,400 Jobs, Spur $6.6B in Economic Activity
May 19, 2025 (Searsport, ME) — A new independent study has put numbers to the massive economic benefits a Maine-based offshore wind port would bring to the state, especially for Searsport and surrounding communities. The new Economic Impact Analysis conducted by Karp Strategies found that if an offshore wind port is constructed and used to Read More
Mainers Would Face Higher Costs, Job Creation Would Slow Under US House Energy Plan
May 13, 2025 (Augusta, ME) – Homeowners and businesses in Maine would miss out on valuable cost-savings and jobs in one of the state’s fastest growing sectors would slow under the U.S. House of Representative’s energy budget proposals released over the past few days. The plans are part of a reconciliation package being debated by Read More
Bill Will Power Maine Forward with 100% Clean Energy by 2040
May 5, 2025 (Augusta, ME) – A bill being considered by the Maine Legislature aims to reduce reliance on expensive oil and gas by ensuring homes, businesses, and vehicles are powered with 100% clean, affordable electricity by 2040. LD 1868 sponsored by Senator Mark Lawrence would expand Maine’s existing Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to 90% 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
