States are laboratories for policy innovation, and nowhere is that happening more in Maine than on clean energy and climate action. In 2019, Governor Janet Mills and bipartisan majorities of the Legislature passed new laws aimed at improving public health and strengthening the economy by reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Read More
energy efficiency
In Support of LD 1750, “An Act to Establish Appliance Energy and Water Standards”
Senator Carson, Representative Tucker, and other members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, my name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Climate and Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM strongly supports this bill as an extremely cost-effective way to lower utility bills for consumers, reduce waste and Read More
A Victory for Energy Consumers and Climate Action
NRCM statement The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today completely rejected a proposal that would have benefited Central Maine Power (CMP) by doubling the fixed monthly charges for residential and small business customers over the next four years. The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) has been a party to this lengthy case because increased Read More
3 Reasons Maine Needs the Transportation and Climate Initiative Now!
Right now, 12 states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are developing a regional Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI) that could help create more affordable and healthier transportation options for Mainers and lead to less pollution from cars and trucks. Today the states released a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and results of economic modeling on Read More
Trump Moves to Block States’ Rights to Set Clean Car Standards
NRCM News Release September 18, 2019 (Augusta, ME) – President Trump announced today he will attempt to block states, including Maine and a dozen others, which have adopted higher fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks. The move is a desperate attempt to roll back clean car standards which are supported by the automobile industry Read More
News & Noteworthy — July 2019
News & Noteworthy July 31, 2019 One Salmon’s Journey Bangor Daily News outdoors editor John Holyoke gives us the tale of one Atlantic salmon’s amazing journeys in Maine’s waters and an $880K payout from an oil company spill will fund improvements to help fish migrate up the Penobscot River and its tributaries. Congratulations to Baxter Read More
At Long Last, Maine Will Lead Again on Climate Change
Maine people understand the negative impacts of climate change. We live our lives and run our businesses close to the land and the sea. Our springs are rainier; summers are hotter; ticks and associated diseases are spreading; coastal flooding is more prevalent; beaches are eroding, and lobsters are moving north in search of cooler waters. Read More
NRCM Statement on Nomination of Phil Bartlett as PUC Chair
May 28, 2019 (Augusta, ME) – The Natural Resources Council of Maine released the following statement from Clean Energy Director Dylan Voorhees on Governor Mills’ nomination of Phil Bartlett as Chair of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC): “Phil Bartlett will provide the leadership on clean energy and energy efficiency that the PUC so desperately needs. Read More
NRCM Testimony in Support of LD 1646, An Act To Restore Local Ownership and Control of Maine’s Power Delivery System
Senator Mark Lawrence, Chair Representative Seth Berry, Chair Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities & Technology My name is Sue Ely and I am the Clean Energy Policy Advocate & Staff Attorney for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). Thank you for the opportunity to testify in general support for this legislation. I Read More
