The harm that warming is doing now will only get worse unless citizens, businesses and governments make mitigating actions part of their daily lives. by Rev. Richard Killmer, retired Presbyterian minister and Yarmouth resident Portland Press Herald op-ed YARMOUTH — “Earth’s climate is now changing faster than at any point in the history of modern civilization, Read More
renewable energy
Maine’s Solar Policy is More Costly than Expected. Lawmakers Can Lessen This Cost.
By Vaughan Woodruff, founder of Insource Renewables. He lives with his family in Pittsfield. Bangor Daily News op-ed During the past eight years, solar policy in Maine has been a polarizing topic in Augusta. Entering Gov. Paul LePage’s first term, solar rebates were available for residents and business owners. The state’s net metering policy, which requires Read More
Profits, Not Climate Benefits, are Driving CMP Transmission Proposal
The utility’s transmission line will harm Maine’s environment, economy and way of life – and will do nothing to reduce climate-disrupting pollution. by Dylan Voorhees, climate and clean energy director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine Portland Press Herald op-ed AUGUSTA — Climate disruption is the most serious threat to the environment in Maine, Read More
NRCM Dip & Dash Turns into Mountain Biking Adventure
There are so many great reasons to participate in the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s annual Polar Bear Dip and Dash: All of the money raised supports NRCM’s work on clean and renewable energy and reducing climate change pollution. Physical activity is good for your health. So, a nice brisk 5K around Back Cove in Read More
Start Listening, Folks: All-out Effort Needed to Prevent Climate Disaster
Our nation has made dramatic societal transformations in short periods of time when a dire situation, like global warming, has called for it. By Joe Hardy of Wells, a retired environmental educator, consultant and mediator Portland Press Herald op-ed WELLS — The recent report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was stunning in Read More
Bangor OKs $8,600 Study to Look into Solar Power on City Property
By Charles Eichacker, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story Bangor city councilors have agreed to spend $8,600 to study how much it would cost the city to build and operate solar arrays on municipal properties, as well as what energy savings would come from those investments. At a meeting on Monday night, the council’s Read More
Electricity Customers Paying Through the Nose Due to New PUC Rules, Say Solar Installers
by Andy O’Brien Free Press news story A Pittsfield-based solar installer is asking the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to exempt certain solar customers from its new gross metering rules citing the high cost of installing new mandatory meters. In the PUC filing, Vaughan Woodruff, owner of Insource Renewables, argues that the PUC’s rules for Read More
Landfill Solar Panels to Cover 95 Percent of Maine Town’s Electricity Needs
By Ralph Morang, Portsmouth Herald Bangor Daily News news story ELIOT, Maine — Dark skies and cold rain Monday morning did not hinder the progress of work on Eliot’s newest solar array. Trucks poured concrete into ballasts that will support 384 345-watt photovoltaic solar panels in three ranks at the town’s former landfill next to Read More
Solar Suit Aims to Put Maine Back on Track
A delivery charge for electricity that does not have to be delivered is a backward policy. By The Editorial Board Central Maine newspapers editorial With every technological advance, solar energy becomes less expensive and a more attractive as an investment. Except in Maine, where the Public Utilities Commission has developed policy to fight progress. While Read More
