Senator Woodsome, Representative Dion, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities & Technology, My name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). Thank you for allowing us to present this testimony. We strongly oppose this legislation, which is one of the Read More
Clean Energy
Clean energy improves Maine's air quality and reduces global warming 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.
Maine House Passes Solar Policy Fix
by Christian Roselund PV Magazine news story Today the Maine House voted 106-38 to pass legislation that will overturn a key aspect of the pending changes to the state’s net metering policy imposed by the Public Utilities Commission of Maine. Most importantly, LD 1444 will remove the “gross metering” provision, which would have allowed a Read More
Maine House Joined the Senate in Voting 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 House for giving its overwhelming support to a common sense solar bill that protects consumers, creates jobs, and expands opportunities for community solar. With its vote of 106-38, the Maine House of Representatives showed Read More
Portland, South Portland Plan to Fight Against Climate Change
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
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
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
NRCM Statement on Today’s PUC Decision to Push Anti-solar Rule Six weeks Earlier than Previously Announced
by Dylan Voorhees, Clean Energy Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is out of control. Today the PUC decided Maine is closed for business and intent on destroying jobs in America’s fastest-growing job market. The PUC decision to move the goal posts for the third time in a Read More
Wind Industry Sues LePage Administration Over Order Halting Permits
The Maine Renewable Energy Association claims that Gov. LePage violated Maine’s constitutional separation of powers when he issued a moratorium on new wind turbine permits. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Maine’s wind energy industry is challenging the constitutionality of a recent LePage administration executive order imposing a moratorium Read More
