Broad Coalition of Businesses, Towns, and Advocates Praise Progress News release Natural Resources Council of Maine | Coastal Enterprises, Inc. | ReVision Energy | Insource Renewables | Borrego Solar | SunRaise Investments | City of Belfast | Waldoboro Energy Committee | Coalition for Community Solar Access | Heliotropic Technologies | Maine Conservation Voters | Maine Read More
Legislative Bill Tracking
Maine Legislature Passes Bill to Reboot Solar Energy
NRCM news release June 17, 2019 (Augusta, ME) – The Maine Legislature today gave initial approval to a bipartisan solar energy bill (LD 1711) that will deliver a comprehensive reboot to Maine’s solar policies and reduce barriers that are preventing more Mainers from accessing clean, affordable solar power. This morning, the Maine Senate voted 32-2 Read More
Maine Bans Single-use Plastic Bags
Makes Switch to Reusable Shopping Bags NRCM news release June 17, 2019 (Augusta, ME) – Maine has become the third state in the nation to ban the use of single-use plastic shopping bags statewide. The move comes shortly after the state became the first in the nation to ban polystyrene foam food containers. Today, Governor Read More
Key Bill to Jump-start Solar Energy in Maine Approved by Committee
Augusta, ME (May 30, 2019) – A bipartisan bill aimed at sparking the development of solar energy in Maine received approval from the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities & Technology Committee (EUT) late last night. LD 1711, sponsored by Senator Dana Dow (R-Lincoln), would stimulate solar energy across the state by breaking down outdated barriers to investment Read More
Landmark Bill Would Protect Sustenance Fishing Rights in Maine’s Tribal Waters
May 29, 2019 (Augusta, ME) – Under a bill proposed by Governor Janet Mills that earned broad-based support during a public hearing today, Maine’s tribes will receive long-sought water quality protections for legal sustenance fishing rights provided to the tribes in the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980. The bill (LD 1775) addresses an Read More
New Law Protects Freshwater Lakes and Rivers from Septic Pollution
NRCM applauds action to ensure clean water for drinking, recreation, and wildlife NRCM news release April 23, 2019 (Augusta, ME) – A bill signed into law yesterday by Governor Janet Mills and sponsored by Representative Jessica Fay (D-Raymond) will help protect Maine lakes and rivers from pollution due to leaking septic systems. Malfunctioning septic systems Read More
NRCM Testimony in Support of LD 1431, Resolve, To Support Municipal Recycling Programs
Senator Carson, Representative Tucker, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Sarah Lakeman and I am the Sustainable Maine Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I appreciate this opportunity to speak in support of LD 1431, which may be the most important and Read More
NRCM Testimony in Support of Three Bills, LDs 1383, 1363, and 271, Regarding CMP Corridor
Senator Mark Lawrence, Chair Representative Seth Berry, Chair Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities & Technology Testimony in Support of: LD 1383, “An Act to Amend Maine’s Municipal Land Use and Eminent Domain Laws Regarding Transmission and Distribution Utilities” LD 1363, “An Act Regarding Energy Transmission Corridors” LD 271, “An Act Regarding a Transmission and Read More
Repeal of Gross Metering a Boost for Clean Energy in Maine
NRCM news release Augusta, ME – Governor Janet Mills today signed into law the repeal (LD 91) of an anti-solar gross metering policy enacted by her predecessor to stifle the development of solar energy in Maine. The change was heralded by the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) as an important first step in moving Read More
