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
Climate Action Plan
Updated Climate Action Plan is Opportunity for Maine to Lead
The Maine Climate Council released its updated Climate Action Plan (view PDF) today as is statutorily required under a bipartisan climate law passed in 2019. Since the first Climate Action Plan was published in 2020, the impacts of climate change have become more pronounced, causing damage to critical infrastructure, harm to local communities, and interruptions Read More
Help Shape Maine’s Climate Action Plan
Maine’s next Climate Action Plan is coming out later this year, and we all have an opportunity right now to help shape what it looks like by taking this survey. In this blog, I’ll lay out why Maine’s statewide Climate Action Plan matters and give you some more details about the recommendations we’ll be asking Read More
NRCM Experts Contributing to Maine’s Bold Climate Action Policies
March 6, 2024 (Augusta, ME) – Experts at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) were recently recognized for the important roles they play in catalyzing community action on climate change and contributing to practical climate solutions for an equitable clean energy transition. The experts have been appointed to a variety of advisory committees and Read More
Grid Reform to Maximize Maine’s Clean Energy Future
Climate change is one of the greatest threats facing Maine’s woods, waters, wildlife, and communities. To stay strong and well prepared for the future, we need to continue building home-grown clean energy sources to power our homes, cars, and businesses. A successful clean energy transition will deploy hundreds of thousands of heat pumps, zero-emission vehicles, Read More
How Stronger Clean Car Standards Will Give Mainers Better Choices
Zero-emission cars and trucks are becoming more common on Maine’s roads, and it’s no surprise. They’re quiet, fun to drive, easier to maintain, save drivers money on gas, and don’t pollute our clean air. These benefits have led to a situation where supply can’t meet the rising demand. That’s why the Natural Resources Council of Read More
LD 1895, An Act Regarding the Procurement of Energy from Offshore Wind Resources
Testimony in Support of LD 1895, An Act Regarding the Procurement of Energy from Offshore Wind Resources Senator Lawrence, Representative Zeigler, and members of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, my name is Jack Shapiro, and I am the Climate and Clean Energy Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). Today, on behalf Read More
LD 1411, An Act to Require the Adoption of Sector-specific Greenhouse Gas Emissions Limits
Testimony in Support of LD 1411, An Act to Require the Adoption of Sector-specific Greenhouse Gas Emissions Limits Senator Brenner, Representative Gramlich, honorable members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, my name is Jack Shapiro, and I am the Climate and Clean Energy Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM has Read More
LD 1170, Resolve, to Promote Passenger Rail for Commuters
Testimony in Support of LD 1170, Resolve, to Promote Passenger Rail for Commuters Senator Chipman, Representative Williams, and members of the Committee on Transportation, my name is Josh Caldwell. I am the Climate and Clean Energy Outreach Coordinator at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. NRCM has been working for more than 60 years to Read More
