Clean air is essential for healthy, happy lives. Clean, renewable energy helps ensure clean air. NRCM works for policies and initiatives that will improve Maine's air quality and reduce global warming pollution throughout the state and region.
NRCM’s climate and clean energy work is focused on where we can have the greatest impact: cleaner cars and trucks, clean and renewable energy production, and greater energy efficiency.
Our work in these key areas is critical to reducing health and environmental problems already plaguing our state. These include 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 decision-makers are kept up to date about information related to climate change pollution, clean energy technologies, and steps Maine can take to ensure clean air.
Mainers Would Face Higher Costs, Job Creation Would Slow Under US House Energy Plan
May 13, 2025 (Augusta, ME) – Homeowners and businesses in Maine would miss out on valuable cost-savings and jobs in one of the state’s fastest growing sectors would slow under the U.S. House of Representative’s energy budget proposals released over the past few days. The plans are part of a reconciliation package being debated by Read More
Bill Will Power Maine Forward with 100% Clean Energy by 2040
May 5, 2025 (Augusta, ME) – A bill being considered by the Maine Legislature aims to reduce reliance on expensive oil and gas by ensuring homes, businesses, and vehicles are powered with 100% clean, affordable electricity by 2040. LD 1868 sponsored by Senator Mark Lawrence would expand Maine’s existing Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to 90% Read More
Proposal to Open Up Maine’s Ocean Waters to Oil and Gas Drilling Defies Explanation
April 30, 2025 (Augusta, ME) – The Trump Administration has announced a program that could allow offshore oil and gas drilling off the coast of Maine, prompting opposition from one of the state’s leading environmental groups. In an April 29 announcement, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said it will open up public comment on Read More
Federal Clean Energy Rollbacks Could Raise Maine Electricity Costs
Here’s how the Trump Administration’s attacks on American-made clean energy will make electricity in Maine more expensive and less reliable: There are a lot of actions on energy and the environment being taken by the Trump Administration these days, many of which will have real consequences for Maine people, local businesses, and our communities. Here, Read More
Transportation in Maine: Solutions
This is part two of two-part series exploring how we can embrace the opportunity to create a transportation system that works better for Maine people. In part one, we explored what’s wrong with the status quo and in part two we will explore the solutions that will lead to healthier, more affordable choices for residents Read More
Transportation in Maine: What’s Wrong
This is part one of two-part series exploring how we can embrace the opportunity to create a transportation system that works better for Maine people. In part one, we explore what’s wrong with our system now and in part two we explore the solutions that will lead to healthier, more affordable choices for residents living Read More
ISO-NE CEO Reiterates Offshore Wind Essential for Future Grid Reliability
March 25, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) — In prepared remarks to be delivered to Congress today, the head of the Independent System Operator of New England, (ISO-NE), the independent group responsible for managing the region’s electric grid and wholesale energy markets, reiterates the importance of developing offshore wind projects for future grid reliability. The appearance by Read More
New Report Calls for Expanded Investment in Maine Transit
Below is an announcement from Maine’s Public Transit Advisory Council (PTAC) about their Biennial Report, which was released earlier this year. PTAC is a voluntary board that was established to advise the State of Maine on planning and priorities for investing in public transportation statewide. Josh Caldwell, the Natural Resource Council of Maine’s Climate & Read More
Massive EPA Proposal to Weaken Environmental Protections Would Harm Maine’s Clean Air and Water
March 13, 2025 (Augusta, ME) — Yesterday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin released a massive, broadside attack on rules that protect public health, the climate, and our environment from air pollution, water pollution, and toxic emissions from fossil fuel power plants. On the eve of addressing a major energy conference in Read More
