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.
Plan to Use State Timber Money for Energy Rebates Under Attack
WGME news story AUGUSTA (WGME) — It’s one of Maine’s largest natural resources. Trees. And Governor Paul LePage wants to use Maine’s trees to lower your energy costs. The governor wants to increase commercial logging on state-owned public land, and use the additional money to help people convert to more efficient home heating systems. Governor Read More
Owner Disputes Claim that Oil Pipeline is Too Old
By David Sharp The Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story PORTLAND — One of two pipelines stretching from Portland to Montreal has surpassed its life expectancy, an environmental group said Thursday, citing court documents. The Portland Pipe Line Corp. dismissed the assertion as “grossly misleading” and said its dual pipelines can operate safely for Read More
NWF Reveals Newly Uncovered Documents Showing Montreal Pipeline Past Retirement Date
NWF/NRCM news release March 13, 2014 – According to the company that owns it, the 64-year-old pipeline that currently transports crude oil from Portland, Maine, to Montreal has already passed its projected retirement date, documents recently discovered by the National Wildlife Federation show. The Exxon-owned Portland Pipe Line Corporation (PPLC) seeks to reverse the aging Read More
Ski Professionals, Climate Scientists, Conservationists Warn of Climate Change Harming Maine Winter Sports Industries
Call on Maine Delegation to Support EPA Carbon Pollution Standards News release Portland, ME – Today, professional winter sports athletes, business leaders, and climate scientists held a press conference highlighting the significant threat of climate change on skiing, riding, and other winter sports, and the importance of finding solutions to address climate change before these Read More
Pipeline Approved to Bring Tar Sands to Montreal and New England’s Doorstep
News release Mainers react with increased concern, renewed call for federal environmental review Today the National Energy Board of Canada gave approval to a proposal by pipeline giant Enbridge to reverse and increase the flow of crude oil, including tar sands oil, in its pipeline from Sarnia, Ontario to Montreal, Quebec—for the first time directly Read More
Our Changing Climate: Strategies for Managing the Risks, Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Join NRCM and Colby College for a panel discussion on managing the risks from a changing climate. When: Wednesday, March 19 from 12:00-1:15 p.m. Where: Colby College, Waterville, Maine Parker Reed Room, Schair-Swenson-Watson Alumni Center (directions to and map of Colby College) Climate change poses serious threats to Maine and our planet. Currently, there are Read More
Maine Lawmakers Should Pass Solar Power Rebate Bill
More people would invest in this technology if there were a timely incentive from the state. Portland Press Herald editorial Maine lags behind two-thirds of the states when it comes to installed solar power per capita, and it’s not for the reason you probably think. It’s not because we are so far north or have Read More
Tar Sands Oil in Maine: All Risk, No Benefit
by Lisa Pohlmann and Brownie Carson Times Record op-ed The possibility that tar sands oil will be pumped through a pipeline across Maine is now on the public’s radar, especially in the wake of the enormous march and rally in Portland on Jan. 26. Press reports on the rally have led many people, including the Read More
Homeowners, and Business and Conservation Leaders, Call on Legislature to Pass Solar Legislation
Urge legislators to keep Maine from lagging on solar energy and jobs News release by Natural Resources Council of Maine and Maine Association of Building Professionals Augusta, ME—Dozens of Maine homeowners and small business owners assembled at the State House today to call on legislators to pass solar legislation this session that will lower barriers Read More
