Senator Lawrence, Representative Berry, and distinguished members of the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee. My name is David Costello. I am the Climate and Clean Energy Program Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I am testifying today in support of LD 340, An Act to Allow for the Establishment of Commercial Property Assessed Programs. Reducing Building Sector 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.
Support of LD 314, An Act to Continue the Green Power Electricity Offer
Senator Lawrence, Representative Berry, and distinguished members of the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee. I am pleased to provide this testimony in support of LD 314, An Act to Continue the Green Power Electricity Offer. Green Power Transition Vital Bolstering and accelerating our transition to a future powered by clean energy is key to Maine’s efforts to address climate change and to ensuring a Read More
Biden’s Climate Actions Will Benefit Maine’s Environment and Economy
President Biden today will issue a second round of executive orders focused on building a clean energy economy that works for all Americans by reducing fossil fuel pollution and investing in underserved communities. Maine’s leading environmental advocacy organization, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), applauded the Biden Administration for prioritizing ambitious, science-based actions that Read More
A New Day for Climate Action in DC
Over the past four years, the clean air and water that fuels Maine’s economy has been threatened by the Trump Administration’s relentless rollbacks of more than 100 environmental safeguards and their refusal to hold corporate polluters accountable. Meanwhile, Mainers continue to experience the impacts of climate change first-hand, whether it be rising seas, extreme weather, Read More
Maine Climate Action Plan Will Curb Pollution and Hasten Economic Recovery
NRCM news release Augusta, ME (December 1, 2020) — Maine Governor Janet Mills today announced the release of a new statewide Climate Action Plan detailing a series of actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. The new Plan is the result of more than a year Read More
A Plan to Energize Climate Action in Maine
To reduce the most severe health, environmental, and economic impacts of climate change, the world must reduce greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as possible. That’s the position of the overwhelming majority of scientists, health professionals, and economists across the world, including at the University of Maine. Fortunately for Maine, Governor Mills and a bipartisan majority Read More
Maine to Tap into World Class Offshore Wind Resource with Nation’s First Floating Turbines
News release from Natural Resources Council of Maine and the National Wildlife Federation November 20, 2020 (Washington, D.C.) — Maine’s newly announced plan to build the nation’s first floating offshore wind turbine research array underscores the state’s climate leadership and underscores the growing momentum for this critical clean energy solution at a time when wildlife Read More
Solar Projects Will Advance a Clean, Affordable Energy Future for Maine
In late September 2020 the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved 17 Maine-based renewable energy projects that are expected to generate more than 535 MW of electricity, support 450 construction and 30 permanent jobs, and reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 500,000 tons per year. The PUC’s action was the largest procurement Read More
Poll Shows Strong Majority of Maine Voters Support Climate Action and Clean Energy
Results Gathered During Current Pandemic NRCM news release May 12, 2020 (Augusta, ME) – A strong majority of Maine voters support bipartisan action on clean energy and transportation to address climate change, even as the state faces the coronavirus pandemic, according to the results of a public opinion survey released today by the Natural Resources Read More