March 6, 2024 (Augusta, ME) – Experts at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) were recently recognized for the important roles they play in catalyzing community action on climate change and contributing to practical climate solutions for an equitable clean energy transition. The experts have been appointed to a variety of advisory committees and 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.
Maine Announces Preferred Site for Offshore Wind Port
Augusta, ME – The Mills Administration today took a critical and necessary step forward in the development of a new port facility to support the growth of offshore wind along Maine’s coast. In a recommendation that was developed after significant stakeholder engagement, environmental and economic analysis, and careful consideration, Maine is recommending to the federal government Read More
Bill Seeks to Reduce Ratepayer Costs and Health Risks Associated with Natural Gas
Office of the Public Advocate | CLF Maine | Natural Resources Council of Maine | Sierra Club Maine Maine’s Public Advocate and Clean Energy Groups Partnering to Tackle the Problem A bill being considered by the Maine Legislature this year seeks to address the looming customer risks associated with utility gas infrastructure expansion, as well as Read More
Grid Reform to Maximize Maine’s Clean Energy Future
Climate change is one of the greatest threats facing Maine’s woods, waters, wildlife, and communities. To stay strong and well prepared for the future, we need to continue building home-grown clean energy sources to power our homes, cars, and businesses. A successful clean energy transition will deploy hundreds of thousands of heat pumps, zero-emission vehicles, Read More
Statement on Termination of Northern Maine Transmission Procurement
Today, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) terminated the procurement of a transmission line to enable the development of new wind resources in Aroostook County. In response, the Natural Resources Council of Maine issued the following statement from Climate & Clean Energy Director Jack Shapiro: “Climate change is one of the greatest threats facing Maine’s Read More
What’s Next: Utility Reform and Maine’s Clean Energy Future
In November 2023, after being deluged by nearly $40 million in campaign advertising by Maine’s largest utilities, voters rejected a proposal to shift the state’s investor-owned utilities to a consumer-owned business model. Here, NRCM’s Climate & Clean Energy Senior Advocate Rebecca Schultz reflects on how we can best move forward to hold utilities accountable and Read More
Strong Support for Maine-based Offshore Wind Port
A unique coalition of organized labor and environmental groups that successfully passed a landmark offshore wind bill earlier this year are now signaling their unequivocal support for the responsible development of an offshore wind port on Maine’s coast. The coalition, including Maine’s largest conservation groups and labor organizations, today released the following statement highlighting Read More
Federal Agency Removes Nearly All of Key Fishing Ground from Wind Energy Development in Gulf of Maine
October 19, 2023 (Augusta, ME) — Fishing groups, labor unions, and environmental organizations who came together to push a compromise bill that will advance responsible offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine scored a key victory when the federal government excluded nearly all of a key fishing ground called Lobster Management Area 1 from offshore Read More
Yes on 3: The Case for Public Power
The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) is encouraging Mainers to vote Yes on Question 3 because the Consumer-Owned Utility (COU) model offers our best chance to advance the clean energy transition with the leadership, collaboration, and creativity necessary to keep costs as low as possible. The urgency of transitioning to clean energy couldn’t be Read More
