Against the backdrop of a highly productive legislative session for Maine’s environment earlier this year, one new law could prove to be extremely important to Maine’s efforts to address climate change. The bill, LD 1682, expands the responsibility of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to include reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Governor’s Energy Office and Read More
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How Congress Can Support Maine’s Climate Action Plan
Maine’s Congressional delegation has before them the chance to build and pass the most important piece of climate legislation ever seen in the United States. This opportunity comes at a time when the latest report from the world’s leading climate scientists signaled a “Code Red for Humanity” – time is running out and immediate, bold Read More
News & Noteworthy — July 2021
Here are some highlights from this month’s 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. July 29, 2021 News about Maine being the first state in the nation to pass an Extended Producer Responsibility Read More
The Power of Green Banking
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
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
