http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/explore-alternative-energy-sources----letter-to-the-editor The http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/explore-alternative-energy-sources----letter-to-the-editor Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:13:48 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/change-sought-in-energy-use A http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/change-sought-in-energy-use Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:14:55 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/down-to-earth-thoughts-on-maines-environment Wind power picks up steam, and support Maine Mountain Power is expected to file its new plan Tuesday for a wind farm on Black Nubble Mountain near the Sugarloaf USA ski resort. And, in turn, the Natural Resources Council of Maine and other advocacy groups are planning to announce their support for the project at a news conference in Portland Tuesday morning. The Black Nubble wind farm is the scaled-down version of a plan that was effectively rejected by the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission because of impacts on sub-alpine wildlife habitat and views from the Appalachian Trail. The company resuscitated the plan by eliminating 16 turbines on the Redington Pond Range, and sticking with 18 turbines on Black Nubble. The change, which includes a conservation agreement for Redington, has won over many of the plan’s critics. NRCM had even suggested the scaled-down Black Nubble plan early on, but the company said then that building only 18 turbines would be a money-losing proposition. The numbers look better now. Two other wind farms are already pending before the commission. Commissioners will hold a public hearing Aug. 7 in Lee on a plan for 38 turbines on Stetson Ridge in northern Washington County. A hearing is expected in October on another plan for 44 turbines on Kibby Mountain in northern Franklin County. For more in formation on the proposals, and to keep track, watch the LURC Website. http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/down-to-earth-thoughts-on-maines-environment Tue, 04 Sep 2007 10:45:44 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/georges-bank-is-no-place-for-drilling-rigs---editorial When you're a hammer, everything looks like a nail. http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/georges-bank-is-no-place-for-drilling-rigs---editorial Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:34:32 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/house-favors-drilling-closer-to-coastlines WASHINGTON — Drilling for oil and natural gas would be allowed 50 miles http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/house-favors-drilling-closer-to-coastlines Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:35:52 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/americas-lost-superiority-in-renewable-energy Lacking national standards, gains from alternative energy elude us Energy prices and conflict in the Middle East, combined with growing concern global warming, have jumpstarted an overdue national conversation about United States energy policy. The public is clamoring for solutions and, in this generation, support has never been deeper for increasing the amount of power we get from renewable energy. The United States is the most technologically and economically advanced nation in the world, blessed with vast natural and intellectual resources and a skilled workforce - Maine fits this ideal. Our nation has a record of responding to challenges and achieving unthinkable goals. If any nation in the world is capable of creating an energy system to fuel our economy, while preserving our environment and our security, it is America. But, right now, America is failing to realize its almost unlimited potential to generate electricity from sources like wind and solar energy. Just last year, Maine set a goal of increasing its clean energy production 10 percent by 2017, above the renewable power it already generates. Now is time for the country to move together on a new energy future. The United States has historically been a leader in deployment of renewable energy technologies. As recently as the mid-1990s, the United States led the world in solar power capacity, and was second in wind. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. By 2004, Japan had three times the American photovoltaic capacity; Germany had more than double. The United States is now third in installed wind power capacity, behind Germany and Spain. Germany employs more than 40,000 workers in its wind energy industry, and Denmark another 20,000. Both countries have wind resources only a fraction of those in America's windiest states. In Germany, the wind energy industry is the second-largest consumer of steel next to the automotive industry. Fortunately, an expanding number of communities are pressing the nation toward cleaner, renewable energy. State and local officials are increasingly seeing the economic development benefits of renewable energy in Maine, and elswhere in the country. Farmers, foresters and ranchers recognize the benefits renewable energy provides for agricultural interests and rural economies. And, workers and businesses are beginning to understand renewable energy technologies have the potential to create high quality jobs to drive our nation into the 21st century. Already 22 states - from Texas in the South, to Minnesota in the North, to Maine in the Northeast, Arizona in the Southwest and Washington State in the Northwest - have passed renewable energy standards, committing nearly half of our country's population to renewable energy targets as high as 25 percent by 2020. By creating guaranteed markets for renewable energy, these policies have helped jumpstart new statewide energy economies. Evidence of the economic benefits is already apparent. For example, Pennsylvania's clean energy standard has spurred investment by Gamesa, a large Spanish wind turbine manufacturer, into four plants outside Philadelphia to assemble wind energy equipment for use in the United States. One thousand Americans will return to work at a former U.S. Steel mill outside of Fairless, Pa. This is one of many examples of the investment boom in clean energy jobs spreading across the country. Developing our renewable energy resources will create jobs, save consumers money and bolster rural economies. A 2004 study by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) found a national standard requiring 20 percent of electric generation from renewable energy by 2020 would save consumers tens of billions annually in electricity and natural gas bills, and create several hundred thousand new jobs. In addition, by shifting away from fossil fuels, the United States can diversify and secure its energy supply while reducing global warming. A recent analysis based on assumptions by the Energy Information Administration indicates the same national standard would cut global warming pollution by 263 million metric tons by 2030 - the equivalent of taking 43 million cars off the road. Building on the states' momentum, it is time for Congress to act on a renewable energy standard. Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., and Todd Platts, R-Pa., have introduced a national standard of 20 percent renewable energy by 2020. We congratulate Maine's Rep. Tom Allen and Rep. Mike Michaud for co-sponsoring this legislation to help build a cleaner and more secure economy for America, while reducing global warming and again making the United States the world's clean-energy leader. Matthew Davis is organizational development director for Environment Maine. Bruce Roy of Jay is president of the Maine Labor Council of the United Steelworkers. http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/americas-lost-superiority-in-renewable-energy Tue, 04 Sep 2007 10:54:19 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/environmental-group-uses-pinwheels-to-push-for-more-renewable-energy PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER) -- A maine environmental group wants the rest of the country to follow Maine's example and push for more renewable energy, like windpower. Tuesday, the group "Environment Maine" put out 152 pinwheels out on the Eastern Promenade in Portland. The group says that's how many large wind turbines it would take to power a city the size of Portland. It says Maine has done a great job at pushing for wind and solar power recently, but it's just a drop in the bucket if we as a nation don't adopt a similiar policy. Governor John Baldacci recently signed a bill authorizing the state to increase the amount of power it buys from renewable energy providers. http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/environmental-group-uses-pinwheels-to-push-for-more-renewable-energy Tue, 04 Sep 2007 10:52:35 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/new-independence-for-western-maine A lot of people talk about energy independence these days but, in SAD 58, people are actually doing something about it. http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/new-independence-for-western-maine Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:09:10 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/energy-bill-okd-awaits-funding AUGUSTA http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/energy-bill-okd-awaits-funding Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:21:23 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/a-step-towards-maines-clean-energy-future---opinoin-editorial “A step towards Maine’s clean energy future” http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/a-step-towards-maines-clean-energy-future---opinoin-editorial Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:22:55 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/big-oils-friends-in-the-senate May 5, 2008 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/big-oils-friends-in-the-senate Wed, 07 May 2008 13:39:46 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/baldacci-proposes-energy-reforms AUGUSTA http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/baldacci-proposes-energy-reforms Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:46:58 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/governor-touts-energy-initiatives AUGUSTA, http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/governor-touts-energy-initiatives Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:47:54 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/small-steps-to-efficiency Conserving energy is cheaper and easier than building new power plants http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/small-steps-to-efficiency Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:31:01 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/efficiency-maine-deserves-a-boost---editorial Last is no place to be when the topic is saving energy during an era of record prices. http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/efficiency-maine-deserves-a-boost---editorial Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:33:08 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/as-president-bush-seeks-more-wind-energy-backroom-deal-in-washington-threatens-to-kill-cape-wind BOSTON, http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/as-president-bush-seeks-more-wind-energy-backroom-deal-in-washington-threatens-to-kill-cape-wind Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:35:15 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/readers-put-energy-into-issue---letter-to-the-editor What a wonderful juxtaposition of articles in the Press Herald on Jan. 30. http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/readers-put-energy-into-issue---letter-to-the-editor Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:42:59 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/energy-fee-boost-makes-sparks-fly AUGUSTA http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/energy-fee-boost-makes-sparks-fly Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:44:05 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/less-dependent-on-imported-energy Some lawmakers in Augusta want Mainers to be less dependent on imported energy. http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/less-dependent-on-imported-energy Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:45:02 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/sides-drawn-over-efficiency-tax AUGUSTA -- An additional assessment on electric bills would help an http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/sides-drawn-over-efficiency-tax Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:46:01 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/energy-bill-should-focus-on-renewable-sources http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/energy-bill-should-focus-on-renewable-sources Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:49:01 -0600 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/mileage-milestone http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/mileage-milestone Thu, 20 Dec 2007 09:51:59 -0600 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/senators-champion-eco-ideas-edmonds-and-turner-sign-on-to-environment-maine-energy-platform They each represent different sides of the aisle, but Senator Beth http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/senators-champion-eco-ideas-edmonds-and-turner-sign-on-to-environment-maine-energy-platform Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:05:21 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/new-energy-future----letter-to-the-editor Congratulations http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/new-energy-future----letter-to-the-editor Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:10:11 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/maines-clean-energy-efforts-lauded http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/maines-clean-energy-efforts-lauded Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:18:26 -0600 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/support-builds-for-promoting-less-energy-use AUGUSTA http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/support-builds-for-promoting-less-energy-use Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:24:28 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/were-getting-greener http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/were-getting-greener Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:40:58 -0600 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/energy-now-hot-at-statehouse AUGUSTA -- Energy bills that got little attention in recent years will http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/energy-now-hot-at-statehouse Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:10:10 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/legislation-takes-aim-at-energy-prices AUGUSTA, Maine -- Lawmakers in Augusta said it’s time to fight back against the high price of energy -- including gasoline. http://www.environmentmaine.org/in-the-news/energy/energy/legislation-takes-aim-at-energy-prices Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:23:38 -0500