By Jacqueline Guyol and Tony Giambro Bangor Daily News op-ed Maine is at a crossroads when it comes to the future of our transportation systems, as electric vehicles are increasing in popularity and hitting our streets in record numbers. The question is, will our cities and towns be ready for this impending shift? Time is… Continue Reading
electric vehicles
Southern Maine Bus Services Consider Cleaning Up Their Act with Electric Vehicles
‘The future of public transit is electric,’ says the head of ShuttleBus-Zoom, which may join Greater Portland Metro and apply for grant money to replace diesel buses with electric ones. by Penelope Overton, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Greater Portland Metro and ShuttleBus-Zoom may come together to bring the first electric-powered buses to… Continue Reading
Electric Bus Demonstration Coming to Portland and Augusta
Mainebiz news story The Natural Resources Council of Maine is putting the word out that the electric bus manufacturer Proterra is bringing a zero-emission electric bus to locations in Portland and Augusta for demonstrations next week. The zero-emissions bus can operate all day on a single charge or by using on-route fasting charging infrastructure, according… Continue Reading
Lawmakers Oppose New Fees on Maine Hybrid and Electric Cars
Democrats on the transportation committee reject a LePage administration proposal to make electric and hybrid vehicles more expensive to own in Maine. By Peter McGuire, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Democratic lawmakers rejected a proposal from Gov. Paul LePage’s administration to make owning hybrid and electric cars more expensive in a committee-level vote… Continue Reading
March 22, 2018: Electric Bus Demonstration, Augusta
This zero-emission electric bus visited Portland and Augusta. It can run all day on a single charge, holds up to 77 passengers, and is much quieter inside and out compared to traditional diesel buses. Operational and maintenance costs are also lower—electric buses can save communities about $37,000 per year compared with diesel buses! Greater Portland… Continue Reading
Low Gas Tax, Not Electric Cars, Causing Shortfall in Maine Highway Fund
If today’s drivers contributed as much as their grandparents, there would be no problem. Portland Press Herald editorial Maine has a free-rider problem when it comes to infrastructure, but it’s not the one they are talking about in Augusta. Gov. LePage and his allies in the Legislature want to charge an annual fee to the… Continue Reading
2018 Legislative Priorities for Maine’s Environment
The 2018 legislative session is well underway. This is the “short session” of the Legislature, which means the pace is fast as lawmakers attempt to adjourn by the end of April. It is also an election year for every House and Senate seat, and it is Governor Paul LePage’s final year in office, adding an… Continue Reading
NRCM Testimony in Opposition to LD 1806, “An Act to Ensure Equity in the Funding of Maine’s Transportation Infrastructure by Imposing an Annual Fee on Hybrid and Electric Vehicles”
Senator Collins, Representative McLean, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation, My name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM.) Thank you for allowing us to present this testimony. NRCM strongly opposes this legislation. The bill would impose an arbitrary and punitive… Continue Reading
LePage-backed Bill would Slap Extra Annual Fee on Electric, Hybrid Cars
The transportation department says owners don’t pay enough gas taxes to the highway maintenance fund, but environmental groups and drivers say the state should find another way to fill the gap. by Peter McGuide, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The LePage administration is proposing to make it more expensive to own a hybrid… Continue Reading
