Senator Saviello, Representative Tucker, and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee: My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the Staff Scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I reside in Hallowell. I am testifying in opposition to LD 395 and LD 160 and in support of LD 820. Testimony in Opposition Read More
Legislative Bill Tracking
NRCM Testimony “Neither For Nor Against” LD 57, An Act to Phase Out the Use of Single-use Plastic Shopping Bags
Senator Saviello, Representative Tucker, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Ryan Parker and I am the Environmental Policy Outreach Coordinator for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I appreciate this opportunity to testify Neither For Nor Against LD 57. The problems created by single-use disposable bags Read More
2016 Legislative Report Card
This was a challenging legislative session. Partisan tensions were high because it is an election year, and because Governor LePage vetoed so many bills that reached his desk. In a very positive development in January, lawmakers unanimously restored funding for the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program that the governor had refused to release. At Read More
Lawmakers Should Try to Get to “Yes” on Solar
A compromise plan would boost private investment and create good jobs in Maine. Portland Press Herald editorial One of the best-selling books on negotiating is the 1981 title by Roger Fisher and William Ury called “Getting to Yes.” In it, the authors call for putting aside personalities and entrenched positions, and using creativity to find Read More
Solar Power Development Bill Clears Legislative Committee on Party-line Vote
Democrats prevail to push the bill ahead, but Gov. Paul LePage’s intent to veto the measure means it will probably fail. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA –– A bill that would greatly expand solar energy development in Maine was passed Tuesday by a legislative committee, but the party-line vote Read More
Proposed Legislation Aims to Increase Solar Power Generation in Maine
by Ed Morin MPBN news story PORTLAND, Maine – Solar power advocates were in Augusta today to persuade Maine lawmakers to continue compensating residents and small businesses for the solar-generated energy they provide to the grid using a scheme called net metering. Under proposed legislation, existing solar customers would be credited for the power they Read More
Solar Power Bill Faces Key Legislative Hearing Wednesday
The proposal to pave the way for solar development has the support of utility companies, environmentalists and solar installers, but Gov. Paul LePage’s opposition may doom the measure. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Clean energy advocates and their allies were gearing up on Wednesday to promote a proposed Read More
The Only State that Didn’t Add Solar Jobs Last Year has a Governor Who’s Opposing a Pro-Solar Bill
by Samantha Page Climate Progress news story It’s not often that utilities, lawmakers, and solar advocates all support a solar plan. But when they do, the governor opposes it. At least, that’s what’s happening in Maine, where Republican Gov. Paul LePage won’t back a plan that supporters say would create 800 solar jobs and lower Read More
Solar Power Compromise Fairly Shares Costs, Benefits
Lawmakers should not miss this opportunity to responsibly expand renewable power. Portland Press Herald editorial Maine lawmakers have a great opportunity to fairly distribute the costs and benefits of solar power, setting a five-year course that would expand use of renewable energy in a sustainable way. That is, if they don’t let politics get in Read More
