A new plug-in solar law passed in April 2026 clears the way for Maine renters, homeowners, and local business owners to take advantage of clean, cheap solar power to reduce their electricity bills. These small, portable solar panels are expected to generate a lot of interest because they’ll give Mainers the opportunity to generate solar power 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.
Plug-in Solar Bill Passes Maine Legislature
A Climate to Thrive (ACTT) | Maine Climate Action Now (MCAN) | Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) A Positive Step to Address the Energy Affordability Crisis April 3, 2026 (Augusta, ME) – The Maine Legislature gave final approval on Thursday April 2 to a bill (LD 1730) that will allow residents to install compact Read More
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
NRCM Statement on RFP for Northern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program
The Maine Public Utilities Commission today issued a Request for Proposals for 1,200 MW of wind power in Aroostook County and a transmission line to carry the new lower cost, reliable clean energy to electricity customers across Maine. In response, the Natural Resources Council of Maine issued the following statement from Climate & Clean Energy Director Jack Shapiro: “Bringing lower-cost sources of homegrown clean energy Read More
Workers Call on Federal Government to Stop Blocking Offshore Wind During National “Yes to Wind” Week
(MAINE) – Workers on active offshore wind projects in the Atlantic Ocean, including a Maine resident, join clean energy and organized labor groups during the national “Yes to Wind” Week of Action in calling on the federal government to immediately withdraw its opposition to offshore wind projects in the Gulf of Maine and southern New Read More
CMP Rate Hike Would Deliver Nearly $700M in Profits to Shareholders
Acadia Center | Conservation Law Foundation | Natural Resources Council of Maine (Augusta, ME) — The five-year spending proposal by Central Maine Power (CMP) collects an additional $1.7 billion from Maine electricity customers for the stated purpose of investments to the electric grid, but according to new analysis, nearly $700 million would be delivered directly 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
New Report: Offshore Wind Would Have Lowered Electricity Prices 11% Last Winter
(Augusta, ME) – New England electricity prices would have been 11% lower last winter if contracted offshore wind projects had been operational, according to a new study by Daymark Energy Advisors. Tens of millions of dollars in lower costs would have been reflected on the electricity bills of Maine households and businesses. The report, which Read More
Rooftop Solar Keeps the Lights On and Costs Down During Heat Waves
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
