The year 2017 was one of energy upgrades for me. In the summer, Augusta Fuel Company (AFC) pulled out my crumbling oil boiler and all of its associated piping. This was a relief. The piping didn’t meet modern code, and having spent a lot of time working on issues related to in-home oil spills, I Read More
heat pumps
Maine Could (and Should) be Energy Independent
Imagine if we could keep in-state the $6 billion we spend annually on energy? By George Smith Central Maine newspapers column Maine has lots of energy, or the potential for it. As I sat through the interesting E2Tech conference on “Aligning Energy Challenges with Compatible Policies,” I kept staring at the beautiful wood fireplace in Read More
Solar Panels Help Add Jobs, Cut Costs at Bingham’s North Country Rivers
More than 140 solar panels were installed at the whitewater rafting resort last week and are expected to help generate about 50 percent of the business’s energy needs. By Rachel Ohm, Staff Writer Kennebec Journal news story BINGHAM — When the sun beats down on the roof of the equipment barn at North Country Rivers Read More
We Must Reduce Our Carbon Footprints, But That’s Only the Beginning
By John Tjepkema, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed The Earth’s climate is changing. The Arctic Ocean is becoming ice-free in the summer, and more than 80 percent of the world’s glaciers are melting. The frequency and strength of hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, heat waves and droughts is increasing. The acidity of the oceans Read More
Testimony in Opposition to the Nomination of Mr. Donald Lewis to Serve on the Efficiency Maine Trust
by Pete Didisheim, NRCM Advocacy Director Senator Cleveland, Representative Hobbins, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Technology. My name is Pete Didisheim, I am the Advocacy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and I appreciate this opportunity to testify on the nomination of Mr. Donald Lewis to the Efficiency Read More
Without Solar Incentive Program, Maine Misses Energy Opportunity
But a proposed measure would help the state develop plentiful and cost-effective energy solutions. by Sen. Eloise Vitelli Portland Press Herald op-ed ARROWSIC — Mainers want and deserve access to an affordable way to generate power for our homes and businesses. Collectively, Mainers spend an average of $5 billion a year on out-of state fossil Read More
LePage Vetoes Solar Power Rebate Bill
The bill would have provided $1 million for a program for people who buy solar-powered systems. The Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – Maine Gov. Paul LePage has vetoed a bill that would restore a rebate program for people who buy solar power systems. The bill vetoed by the Republican governor on Read More
Maine Small Business Owners Urge LePage to Allow Solar Bill to Become Law
Say LD 1252 Will Strengthen Economy and Increase Jobs for Small Businesses Through Greater Investments in Solar Energy and Heat Pumps NRCM news release Augusta, ME – Small businesses gathered today to urge Governor LePage to allow a solar bill to become law, now that it has passed the Legislature with bipartisan support. More than 20 Read More
House Passes Bill with Rebates for Solar Panels, Heat Pumps
by Scott Thistle, State Politics Editor Sun Journal news story A bill that seeks to expand the use of photovoltaic solar panels in Maine and is funded with a fee to electric ratepayers passed the State House on Wednesday with what appears to be broad bipartisan support. Key to the support was an amendment to Read More
