By Kathleen Pierce, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine — The first thing that catches your eye from the roof of Portland’s largest bowling alley is the taco-spewing Airstream trailer. This bit of retro chic is compelling, but even more significant is the vast solar array blanketing the hottest place to hang Read More
Climate
Climate change and global warming pollution harm Maine people, wildlife, and our environment. Among the highest rates of childhood asthma in the nation, rising seas and severe storms battering our coastal homes and towns, warming and more acidic oceans threatening fisheries, too many “bad air days,” more and more tick-borne diseases, threats to our fall foliage and winter tourism industries—these are among the many health, environmental, and economic problems climate change pollution is causing here in Maine.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine is working to reduce climate-changing pollution by making Maine more energy efficient. We work to provide clean, renewable energy and cleaner more efficient vehicles that will reduce Maine’s contribution to air pollution and climate change to ensure Maine people and wildlife have clean air to breathe.
Amended Maine Solar Incentive Bill Appears Poised for Passage
House and Senate votes Wednesday indicate enough support to override a veto, but a similar bill fell short of an override after passing with veto-proof majorities last year. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A bill that would tweak Maine’s solar “net metering” credits and direct utility regulators to Read More
More Than Two-thirds of Maine House and Senate Approve Solar Bill; Next Significant Vote Expected to be Veto Override (LD 1504, as amended)
Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Climate and Clean Energy Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “Today, the Maine House (105-40) and Senate (29-6) voted overwhelmingly in favor of a compromise solar bill to help build a prosperous future for Maine people through encouraging clean, locally produced solar power and the good jobs it delivers. The measure Read More
Construction of Solar Project on South Portland’s Capped Landfill to Start in July
The array off Highland Avenue is expected to generate about 12 percent of the electricity used by the city’s school and municipal buildings. by Kelley Bouchard, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story SOUTH PORTLAND — Construction of a solar array on the city’s capped landfill is expected to start in July after the City Read More
Solar Bill Would Let Maine Grow Clean Energy Jobs
The bill that just passed both chambers in a preliminary vote must have ongoing support. Portland Press Herald editorial There’s an energy boom underway in this country, and it’s not in the oil fields. Advances in solar power technology have brought down prices, putting photovoltaic panels in financial reach of millions of homeowners as well Read More
House and Senate Approve Solar Bill, More Votes Ahead
Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Clean Energy Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “The Legislature’s bipartisan votes for the solar bill are good news for Mainers. This common sense bill will help prevent the loss of solar jobs in Maine, save money for all Maine electricity customers, and allow more Mainers to benefit from this clean, Read More
With Lobsters and Climate, There’s Not a Debate
Fishery experts don’t waste time with politics when their livelihood is threatened by rising temperatures. Portland Press Herald editorial During a week in which much of the world was wondering whether the president of the United States considers climate change a threat, in a Portland hotel conference room full of people who spend their lives Read More
Time for Maine Lawmakers to Lead the Transition to a Clean Energy Economy
To mitigate the impacts of climate change, we have to use clean sources of energy such as solar. By Seth Wescott, two-time Olympic gold medalist and a member of the U.S. Snowboard Team. He lives in Carrabassett Valley, co-owns The Rack and Winterstick Snowboards and is a member of the Protect Our Winters Riders Alliance. Read More
Maine Lawmakers Put Biomass On Hold; Solar Inches Forward
Public News Service news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Faced with key decisions on the best way to proceed on energy sources for Maine, state legislators have put off a bill to promote biomass, and moved forward on a measure to support solar power. Dylan Voorhees, climate and clean energy director with the Natural Resources Council Read More
