NRCM News Release May 17, 2022 (Augusta, ME) – Maine homeowners and businesses will have expanded access to heat pumps, weatherization, and other programs that have been proven to save energy costs and reduce air pollution in a new $300 million, three-year strategic plan for the Efficiency Maine Trust approved by utility regulators today. The Read More
weatherization
Build Back Better Framework Will Support Maine’s Clean Energy Transition
NRCM news release (Augusta, ME) – The Build Back Better framework being announced today by President Joe Biden is a historic start to the long overdue and necessary action needed to combat climate change, and it deserves the support of Maine’s Congressional delegation, according to a statement issued by Maine’s leading environmental advocacy organization, the Read More
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
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
Support of LD 1094, An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Reduce Homeowner and Municipal Energy Bills through Increased Efficiency and Weatherization Projects
Good afternoon Senator Breen, Representative Pierce, and distinguished members of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. My name is Sue Ely, and I am a staff attorney at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I am pleased to testify today in support of LD 1094, An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Read More
Support of LD 551, An Act To Accelerate Weatherization Efforts in the State
Senator Lawrence, Representative Berry, and distinguished members of the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee. My name is Sue Ely. I am a staff attorney at the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and I am pleased to testify today in support of LD 551, An Act To Accelerate Weatherization Efforts in the State. As you likely Read More
Opposition to LD 667, An Act To Create Synergy between Maine Industry and Maine’s Energy Goals in the Use of Certain Funds by the Efficiency Maine Trust
Senator Lawrence, Representative Berry, and distinguished members of the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee. My name is Sue Ely, and I am a staff attorney at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Today I am testifying against LD 667, An Act To Create Synergy between Maine Industry and Maine’s Energy Goals in the Use of Read More
Maine Will Shift Heating Assistance Money into Weatherization
The LePage administration receives federal approval to spend $3.8 million from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to seal drafty houses and repair furnaces rather than purchase heating fuel. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The state of Maine will shift $3.8 million in low-income heating assistance this winter from Read More
LePage Administration Pushes to Cut Funds for Home Heating Efficiency; Even as Governor Demands More Such Funds Before Releasing LMF Bond
NRCM news release On Tuesday, Governor LePage’s top energy staffer, Patrick Woodcock, led an effort to cut $7.5 million for home weatherization and heating efficiency from the Efficiency Maine’s proposed three-year budget at the same time the governor is refusing to release voter-approved Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) funds because he claims to be concerned Read More
