Like many of you, on January 20, 2021, I took a very long exhale as I watched President Biden and VP Kamala Harris being sworn into office. I think the weight of four years of stress came out in that long exhale, and I felt a resurgence of hope seeing the flurry of executive orders Read More
solar
Opposition to LD 249 and LD 583, Bills Related to Net Energy Billing Policy
Opposition to LD 249, An Act to Eliminate the Current Net Energy Billing Policy in Maine and LD 583, An Act to Repeal the Changes Made by Public Law 2019, Chapter 478, An Act to Promote Solar Energy Projects and Distributed Generation Resources in Maine Senator Lawrence, Representative Berry, and distinguished members of the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee. My Read More
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
News & Noteworthy — December 2020
Read the latest news stories and opinion pieces related to the environment, including Maine’s air, land, water, and wildlife, in this month’s News & Noteworthy from the Natural Resources Council of Maine. December 30, 2020 We start with news about the delay in Maine’s statewide plastic bag and foam bans, which have had enforcement delayed 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
Inspiring Hope: Mainers Share Their Climate Action Stories
Acting on climate presents an exciting opportunity to grow Maine’s economy and help Mainers across the state save money and lead healthier lives. The new statewide Climate Action Plan being developed by the Maine Climate Council and due to be delivered to the Legislature on December 1, 2020, will include recommended actions and policies to jump start the clean energy economy and Read More
News & Noteworthy — October 2020
Read the latest news stories and opinion pieces related to the environment, including Maine’s air, land, water, and wildlife, in this month’s News & Noteworthy. October 29, 2020 Portland Press Herald op-ed: Cities, States Leading the Way in Combating Climate Crisis NRCM Sustainable Maine Director Sarah Nichols is quoted in this article: EPR-style Legislation Increasingly Draws Read More
Solar Projects Will Advance a Clean, Affordable Energy Future for Maine
In late September 2020 the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved 17 Maine-based renewable energy projects that are expected to generate more than 535 MW of electricity, support 450 construction and 30 permanent jobs, and reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 500,000 tons per year. The PUC’s action was the largest procurement Read More
News & Noteworthy — August 2020
Solar farm subscribers in Maine can get a break on their energy bills—learn more in this Portland Press Herald story by Tux Turkel. Last week we celebrated the fourth anniversary of the establishment of the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. We recently learned that, despite the fact that the majority of Maine residents oppose the Read More
