The city’s new solar array, celebrated by officials and renewable energy advocates on Tuesday, is generating electricity to help power city buildings. by Randy Billings, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Portland has completed a 4-acre solar array on top of the city’s old municipal landfill. City officials and renewable energy gathered Tuesday to Read More
renewable energy
Solar Power Achieved a New England Milestone on Chilly Thanksgiving
Sun-generated electricity reached a level that actually shifted peak energy demand away from the usual midmorning, showing solar’s growing role on the region’s electric grid. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story On last month’s historically cold Thanksgiving Day, New England turkeys were being roasted by the sun. For the first time, Read More
Maine Regulators Partially Undo Controversial Solar Metering Rule
By Fred Bever Maine Public news story State regulators are partially unwinding what they had hoped was a solution to inequities in the way solar power users are compensated for excess electricity they supply to the grid. Last year, after several legislative attempts to reform the state’s solar rules were stymied by Gov. Paul LePage, Read More
Maine PUC Stops Tax on Medium & Large Customers Using Their Own Solar Power
Determines “gross metering” costs ratepayers too much NRCM News Release Today the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) granted a petition from Insource Renewables to suspend so-called “gross metering” for medium and large electricity users, citing excessive costs to all ratepayers to implement the policy. “Gross metering” was adopted by the PUC two years ago to Read More
The Big Picture: Let’s Get Going Again
The elections are now behind us and it’s time to get going again. The Natural Resources Council of Maine is committed to working with the new Mills Administration and all new (and former) legislators to move forward. We are excited to start making serious progress protecting our environment. We have spent too much time in Read More
We Know How to Fight Climate Change, and All of Us Must Play a Part
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
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