Senator Dill, Representative O’Neil, and Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, I am Melanie Sturm, the Forests and Wildlife Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I am providing testimony in support of LD 700. Maine State Parks are in critical need of investment. They face $50 Read More
Maine Economy
Solar for Maine Provides New Jobs and Savings on Electricity Bills
A new study (PDF) released this week by the consulting firm Daymark Energy Advisors shows that the increase in local solar energy projects encouraged by Maine’s Net Energy Billing (NEB) program has already generated significant benefits to Maine people and businesses, and is on track to drive hundreds of millions more in new investment in Read More
Opposition to LD 634, An Act to Cap the Value of Contracts for Renewable Resources and Distributed Generation Resources
Senator Lawrence, Representative Berry, and distinguished members of the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee. My name is David Costello. I am the Climate and Clean Energy Program Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I am testifying today in opposition to LD 634, An Act to Cap the Value of Contracts for Renewable Resources and Distributed Read More
Opposition to LD 324, An Act To Limit Public Land Ownership in Maine
Good morning Senator Dill, Representative O’Neil, and Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry. I am Melanie Sturm, the Forests and Wildlife Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I am providing testimony in opposition to LD 324. NRCM opposes LD 324 for a number of reasons. First Read More
Biden’s Climate Actions Will Benefit Maine’s Environment and Economy
President Biden today will issue a second round of executive orders focused on building a clean energy economy that works for all Americans by reducing fossil fuel pollution and investing in underserved communities. Maine’s leading environmental advocacy organization, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), applauded the Biden Administration for prioritizing ambitious, science-based actions that Read More
A New Day for Climate Action in DC
Over the past four years, the clean air and water that fuels Maine’s economy has been threatened by the Trump Administration’s relentless rollbacks of more than 100 environmental safeguards and their refusal to hold corporate polluters accountable. Meanwhile, Mainers continue to experience the impacts of climate change first-hand, whether it be rising seas, extreme weather, Read More
Maine Climate Action Plan Will Curb Pollution and Hasten Economic Recovery
NRCM news release Augusta, ME (December 1, 2020) — Maine Governor Janet Mills today announced the release of a new statewide Climate Action Plan detailing a series of actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. The new Plan is the result of more than a year Read More
A Plan to Energize Climate Action in Maine
To reduce the most severe health, environmental, and economic impacts of climate change, the world must reduce greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as possible. That’s the position of the overwhelming majority of scientists, health professionals, and economists across the world, including at the University of Maine. Fortunately for Maine, Governor Mills and a bipartisan majority Read More
Working Together to Protect the Nature of Maine
This election has been like no other in my memory. It has been emotional and draining for many of us because we understand at a visceral level that the outcomes will be consequential for years to come. As we continue to watch the results and consider what they mean for ourselves, our families, and our Read More