Senator Mark Lawrence, Chair Representative Seth Berry, Chair 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). NRCM opposes this bill, which—despite its title—would limit the extent to which funds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Read More
Energy Efficiency
NRCM supports energy efficiency technologies and initiatives that benefit Maine. For too long, Maine—and the U.S.—has been reliant upon fossil fuels for our energy needs. These dirty energy sources—oil, coal, gas—contribute to global warming pollution and other air pollution that leads to serious health and environmental issues in Maine. This addiction to dirty energy also hinders progress toward the increased energy independence our country and our state need.
NRCM's top energy priority is advocating for greater energy efficiency and conservation, as that is consistently the cheapest, cleanest way to combat Maine’s environmental problems while reducing energy pollution.
Maine has created momentum and infrastructure for energy efficiency improvements. Now, Maine needs a longer-term strategy to maximize energy efficiency and weatherization in our homes and businesses, boost business growth, and slash energy costs.
LED Light Conversion Could Save Caribou Nearly $100,000 Annually
by Christopher Bouchard, Aroostook Republican & News Bangor Daily News story CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou City Manager Dennis Marker updated councilors on Feb. 11 about the results of an Investment Grade Audit report concerning the potential conversion of Caribou street lights to more efficient and less expensive LED. Marker said the IGA report indicates that Read More
Bill to Tax Fossil Fuel Producers Among Dozens of Climate-Related Proposals Before Maine Legislature
by Steve Mistler Maine Public news story Listen to full news story. From carbon taxes to the Maine version of the Green New Deal, Democratic state lawmakers are pitching a slew of bills designed to address the threat of climate change. While Democrats have introduced climate bills before, the proposals had no real chance to Read More
Weatherize Ellsworth Wants to Lower Your Heating Bills
by Kate Cough Ellsworth American news story ELLSWORTH — It’s easy, with this week’s summer breezes and sunshine, to forget about ice dams on your roof, drafty windows and high heating bills. But Weatherize Ellsworth is hoping you’ll recall just a bit of winter’s bite and sign up for a free energy consult with the Read More
Report: Greenhouse Gas Initiative Gave $4 Billion Back to Participating States’ Economies
By Fred Bever Maine Public news story The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the nine-state carbon-pricing program known as RGGI, has continued to bolster Northeast economies even as its environmental goals grew more ambitious, according to the latest three-year report on RGGI by the Analysis Group. The report was commissioned by a group of charities and Read More
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
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
Law Keeping Maine as Part of RGGI Becomes Law Without Governor’s Signature
Mainebiz news story A bill passed unanimously by the Maine Legislature to remain part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative through 2030 became law without the governor’s signature. LD 1657, “An Act To Update the Allowance Budget for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative,” was prepared by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection after nine Read More
New Stronger Northeast Climate Pact Becomes Law Today, Passed Maine Legislature Unanimously
Today, a bill passed unanimously by the Maine Legislature has become law, reauthorizing Maine to remain part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) through 2030, and ensuring deeper pollution cuts from power plants. LD 1657, sponsored by Rep. Ralph Tucker, was prepared by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection after the nine northeast states Read More
