In early March, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a draft order approving Central Maine Power’s (CMP) New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) project with conditions, requiring CMP to agree to significant, additional actions to minimize and compensate for the project’s impacts before the DEP issues a final permit. Maine Audubon staff previously […]
Energy
Maine Climate Council Vows to Stay on Track
In this time of uncertainty and anxiety over a global health emergency, it may be hard to think about other pressing matters like climate change. However, Maine is not letting one crisis prevent us from preparing for another, and so the work of the Maine Climate Council is proceeding with a modified schedule during the […]
A Legislative Update in these shifting times
Due to concerns related to the coronavirus, the Maine Legislature adjourned on March 17, weeks ahead of schedule. Though we’re disappointed that a lot of important environmental policy was left on the table, we fully support this difficult decision, made in the best interests of Maine lawmakers and Maine people. The Legislature may reconvene to […]
Initial reaction to DEP draft approval for NECEC project
On March 13, 2020, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a draft order approving Central Maine Power’s (CMP) New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) project with conditions. Maine Audubon staff previously provided extensive public comment to the DEP, focusing on the proposed project’s impacts on wildlife and habitat. Our comments demonstrated that NECEC, […]
Five Years of Solar at Gilsland Farm
It is almost hard to believe that five years have passed since the solar panels were installed at Gilsland Farm but on this anniversary I thought it’d be fun to take a look at how they’ve performed over that time and hopefully dispel a few solar myths. One thing that has become increasingly clear over […]
Public hearing on NECEC provides opportunity to share concerns
This week, the public will have another opportunity to learn about and comment on Central Maine Power’s New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) project, a proposed 145-mile transmission line that would carry hydropower from Quebec to Massachusetts. On December 5, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers�the federal agency responsible for wetland and waterway regulation and […]
New Report: Renewable Energy and Wildlife in Maine
Tackling climate change is one of the most difficult and pressing tasks Mainers face, both personally and collectively. Maine’s lawmakers have set some ambitious goals for reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and for procuring retail electricity sales from renewable energy sources. This recent legislation is spurring interest and investment in renewable energy projects across […]
ANDY’S NOTE: Energy Matters
We turn the clocks back this weekend, so we can’t deny it any longer: winter really is coming. Last November, we had 16 inches of snow in the Portland area! With these shorter days and colder temperatures, our thoughts inevitably turn to keeping warm.� But those thoughts clash with news inundating my inbox. A new […]
Join Us in Augusta for Conservation Lobby Day 2019 & Youth Climate Rally!
Please join Maine Audubon and the Environmental Priorities Coalition at the Maine State House in Augusta on April 23 for Conservation Lobby Day 2019! Each year, we gather for this special day in Augusta, discussing pressing issues, learning some effective techniques for talking to our legislators — and then hitting the halls to do some […]