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.
Trump Administration’s Taxpayer-funded Pay-to-quit Scheme for Offshore Wind Projects Will Increase Energy Costs
June 17, 2026 (Augusta, ME) — The Trump Administration’s payout of $765 million in taxpayer dollars to energy developer Invenergy to walk away from four offshore wind leases, including two in the Gulf of Maine, is a huge step backward for affordability and reliability, according to Maine’s leading nonpartisan environmental advocacy organization. The Natural Resources Council of Maine issued the following statement from its Climate & Clean Energy Director Jack Shapiro in response Read More
The Truth About the Environmental Impacts of Clean Energy
Building more Maine-made clean energy can make electricity costs more affordable, create new good-paying jobs, and reduce our dependence on expensive out-of-state fossil fuels. But opponents of clean energy, backed by national funders and fossil fuel interests, frequently spread misinformation to confuse people and set us back, so they can continue to rake in huge Read More
Transportation for Maine Calls for Sustainable and Affordable Options for People to Get Around
T4ME News release SKOWHEGAN, Maine (June 3, 2026) — A new statewide coalition, Transportation for Maine, launched today at the Skowhegan Opera House in Skowhegan. The coalition of more than a dozen organizations working in economic development, transit, social services, land use, climate, conservation, and fiscal responsibility will announce its shared vision, principles, and policy Read More
Opposing NextEra’s Attempt to Skirt Clean Air Laws at Wyman Station
Wyman Power Station on Cousins Island in Yarmouth recently submitted a request for a clean air exemption to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that would allow them to avoid complying with updated air quality standards for nitrous oxides (NOx) that were put in place to protect public health. The plant’s owner, Florida-based NextEra Energy, also says it plans to continue operating Wyman for Read More
CMP Disguises Its Latest Bid to Increase Mainers’ Electricity Bills
Accountability and Affordability Must Be at the Center of Efforts to Scrutinize CMP’s Rate Increase On Friday April 17, Central Maine Power (CMP) filed its latest proposal to increase Mainers’ electricity bills. As we review the company’s filing, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) will be focused on two ways to reduce electricity prices Read More
What You Need to Know about Maine’s New Plug-in Solar Law
A new plug-in solar law passed in April 2026 clears the way for Maine renters, homeowners, and local business owners to take advantage of clean, cheap solar power to reduce their electricity bills. These small, portable solar panels are expected to generate a lot of interest because they’ll give Mainers the opportunity to generate solar power Read More
Maine Legislature Enacts Bill to Document Harm Caused to Communities from Climate Change
Conservation Law Foundation | Maine Conservation Voters | Maine People’s Alliance | Maine Youth for Climate Justice | Natural Resources Council of Maine | Sierra Club Maine | Third Act Maine | Union of Concerned Scientists | Climate Defenders LD 1870 was enacted by both the Maine House and Senate. It is with the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, awaiting Read More
Plug-in Solar Bill Passes Maine Legislature
A Climate to Thrive (ACTT) | Maine Climate Action Now (MCAN) | Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) A Positive Step to Address the Energy Affordability Crisis April 3, 2026 (Augusta, ME) – The Maine Legislature gave final approval on Thursday April 2 to a bill (LD 1730) that will allow residents to install compact Read More
NRCM Joins Coalition Suing Trump EPA Over Illegal Repeal of Mercury and Air Toxics Standards
Lawsuit challenges rollback that allows more mercury, lead, and other toxic pollution from fossil fuel power plants Augusta, ME (March 30, 2026) – The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) joined a lawsuit filed today by a national coalition of public health, environmental, and community advocates, challenging the Trump Administration’s repeal of standards that limit toxic mercury, lead, and other hazardous air pollution from Read More
