LD 1814, a bill to phase out the sale of mercury-containing fluorescent bulbs in favor of more affordable, energy-efficient, and mercury-free lighting options, became law in Maine. A study by the Appliance Standards Awareness Project shows that the bill could lead to $216 million in utility bill savings statewide by 2050. Maine joins Vermont, Rhode Island, California, Colorado, Hawaii, and Oregon as states poised to phase out the sale of common fluorescent lighting.
energy efficiency
LD 1814, Reduce Mercury by Phasing Out Certain Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Testimony in Support of LD 1814, An Act To Reduce Mercury in the Environment by Phasing out Certain Fluorescent Light Bulbs Senator Brenner, Representative Gramlich, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Sarah Nichols, and I am the Sustainable Maine Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). Read More
April 1, 2023: Green Home & Energy Show and EV Expo, South Portland
April 1, 2023, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Point Community Center, 345 Clarks Pond Pkwy, South Portland Electric Vehicle Expo from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. Thanks to the record number of people who came to South Portland to talk with NRCM staff at this year’s show to learn about our work on electric vehicles. Read More
News & Noteworthy — November 2022
Read highlights from November 2022 news stories and opinion pieces related to the environment, including Maine’s air, land, water, and wildlife, in this News & Noteworthy from the Natural Resources Council of Maine. November 17, 2022 The big news of the week here at the Natural Resources Council of Maine came yesterday, when we announced Read More
News & Noteworthy — September 2022
Read highlights from September 2022 news stories and opinion pieces related to the environment, including Maine’s air, land, water, and wildlife, in this News & Noteworthy from the Natural Resources Council of Maine. September 30, 2022 We didn’t want to wait until next week to share the fantastic news stories about yesterday’s Clean Water Champions Read More
New Efficiency Standards for Appliances Will Save Mainers Money
NRCM News Release September 1, 2022 (Augusta, ME) – New efficiency standards adopted today for certain residential and commercial appliances, plumbing, and lighting products will save Maine residents and businesses money, according to the Natural Resources Council of Maine. The new efficiency standards cover a wide variety of products, from computer monitors and commercial food Read More
4 Ways the Historic Climate Bill Will Benefit Mainers
The most significant investment in climate action and clean energy in U.S. history has been signed into law, and it’s good news for Maine! The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will have big benefits for Maine people by making clean energy, home efficiency and electrification, and electric vehicles more affordable for everyday people. We know these Read More
Lower Energy Costs, More Jobs Delivered by Efficiency Maine Trust’s New Triennial Plan
NRCM News Release May 17, 2022 (Augusta, ME) – Maine homeowners and businesses will have expanded access to heat pumps, weatherization, and other programs that have been proven to save energy costs and reduce air pollution in a new $300 million, three-year strategic plan for the Efficiency Maine Trust approved by utility regulators today. The Read More
Federal Funding Boosts Maine’s Climate Resilience
This is the second blog post in a series that will illuminate the ways federal funding has allowed Maine to successfully complete climate and clean energy projects; the projects that are underway with funding coming down the pipeline; and the needs that still exist for continued climate and clean energy work. Read the first blog Read More
