The U.S. Senate is expected to vote soon on the reconciliation budget bill that would increase the national debt by trillions and give billionaires tax breaks while increasing costs for working families. Pressure is ramping up on Senator Susan Collins to oppose the most drastic environmental rollbacks in the bill and join her Republican colleagues Read More
climate
Federal Clean Energy Rollbacks Could Raise Maine Electricity Costs
Here’s how the Trump Administration’s attacks on American-made clean energy will make electricity in Maine more expensive and less reliable: There are a lot of actions on energy and the environment being taken by the Trump Administration these days, many of which will have real consequences for Maine people, local businesses, and our communities. Here, Read More
Successful Gulf of Maine Offshore Wind Lease Sale Kicks Off a New Clean Energy Era
News release October 29, 2024 (Augusta, ME) – A new era for clean energy in New England kicked off today when the federal government announced the results of its first floating offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Maine. Four of the eight available lease areas were purchased by developers, including one in the northern Read More
The Economic Promise of Offshore Wind in Maine
Offshore wind holds great promise for Maine. Floating offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine is expected to generate about half of the electricity Maine needs by 2040 by providing a reliable source of renewable energy. This will bring a once-in-a-century opportunity to create good-paying jobs for Maine workers now and into the future. And Read More
News & Noteworthy: October—December 2023
We highlight news stories and opinion pieces related to Maine’s land, air, water, and wildlife in our monthly News & Noteworthy. December 2023 NRCM Staff Scientist Nick Bennett and Dan Kusnierz, the water resources program manager for the Penobscot Nation, wrote a strong op-ed about why the proposal for a mine in the Katahdin region Read More
Yes on 3: The Case for Public Power
The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) is encouraging Mainers to vote Yes on Question 3 because the Consumer-Owned Utility (COU) model offers our best chance to advance the clean energy transition with the leadership, collaboration, and creativity necessary to keep costs as low as possible. The urgency of transitioning to clean energy couldn’t be Read More
Guide to Federal Funding Opportunities for Mainers
Mainers are eager to do the right thing for the environment in their homes, businesses, and communities. Installing clean energy solutions like solar or heat pumps saves money and reduces pollution. Thankfully, with the recent passage of legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), there is a lot Read More
Testimony in Opposition to LD 1775, An Act to Establish a Clean Hydrogen Pilot Program
Testimony in Opposition to LD 1775, An Act to Establish a Clean Hydrogen Pilot Program Senator Lawrence, Representative Zeigler, 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). NRCM has been working for more Read More
Maine Environment Summer 2022 Newsletter
Maine Environment Summer 2022: What’s Inside! In this issue of Maine Environment, we feature a story about our work to expand the Maine Ecological Reserve System through passage of legislation during the 2022 session. As Maine’s environment faces growing threats from development, pollution, invasive species, biodiversity loss, and climate change, it is more important than ever Read More
