News & Press
Governor LePage Agrees with Maine Citizens for Clean Energy that State Should Lower Electricity Costs
Augusta, January 24, 2012
Governor LePage Agrees with Maine Citizens for Clean Energy that State Should Lower Electricity Costs
Maine Citizens for Clean Energy, a growing nonpartisan coalition of people and organizations committed to strengthening Maine’s energy independence, keeping Maine’s air clean and healthy, creating jobs, increasing energy efficiency, and attracting new clean energy businesses to Maine, responded tonight to Gov. Paul LePage’s State of the State Address.
Bangor Daily News, January 23, 2012
http://bangordailynews.com/2012/01/23/opinion/contributors/mainers-would-win-with-renewable-standard/
Maine — as with the rest of the nation — continues to face economic challenges. Unemployment remains a big issue and the high cost of electricity affects the pocketbooks of homeowners and businesses throughout our state. But there stands an opportunity in front of us that will create jobs, lower the cost of electricity and help to wean us off of polluting, financially unstable fossil fuels.
Augusta, January 18, 2012
Maine Citizens for Clean Energy Expects Lower Electricity Costs with Ballot Initiative
Maine Citizens for Clean Energy released information today that shows a decrease in Maine ratepayers’ electric bills if a ballot initiative designed to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy passes in November. The initiative would ensure 20 percent of Maine’s electricity comes from new renewable energy sources and require utilities to invest in energy efficiency whenever it would reduce energy costs for ratepayers.
TMCnet, November 17, 2011
Study Says Switch to Clean Energy Would Not Be Pricey or Dicey
It is a misconception that switching to renewable energy would leave the United States with an unreliable and unreasonably expensive power supply. In fact, switching to clean energy could save the nation’s electricity customers $83 billion over the next 40 years - and could also save lives and create jobs.
WZON AM620 and 103.1 FM The Pulse, November 10, 2011
Rob Brown of Maine Citizens for Clean Energy and Opportunity Maine Campaign discusses the petition gathering campaign
(10 minute audio - MP3)
Bangor Daily News, November 4, 2011
http://bangordailynews.com/2011/11/04/opinion/contributors/road-to-maine-prosperity-passes-through-energy/
High unemployment and high energy costs are two of Maine’s biggest economic challenges. What if we could tackle both of them at once? Maine Citizens for Clean Energy, a new coalition of businesses and economic development, national security, public health, environmental and worker advocates is doing just that.
Earth Techling, October 29, 2011
http://www.earthtechling.com/2011/10/maine-group-wants-more-clean-energy
A group of citizens has formed in Maine to push for legislation that would require utility companies to get 20 percent of their power from renewable sources. The Maine Citizens for Clean Energy is a group of individuals and businesses that have formed to promote increased energy independence, job growth and reduced pollution.
Maine Public Broadcasting Network, October 28, 2011
http://www.mpbn.net/Home/tabid/36/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3478/ItemId/18666/Default.aspx
When you talk about Maine's energy future, the conversation often starts out in agreement. Just listen to these two guys:
"Eighty percent of our homes are on oil. We need to get them off of oil. We need to get them onto an alternative."
"The state's prosperity lies in increasing energy independence. The alternative of more status quo dependence on dirty imported fossil fuels is a risky gamble that will bring enormous costs for Maine people and businesses."
That's Gov. Paul LePage, of course, and Dylan Vorhees. He's with the Natural Resources Council of Maine. One man is the business-oriented, Republican governor, the other a leading voice for clean energy at a progressive-leaning environmental group. They're not exactly political soul mates. Still, they agree on the basic dilemma facing Maine.
Bangor Daily News, October 28, 2011
http://bangordailynews.com/2011/10/27/business/coalition-kicks-off-ballot-initiative-to-reduce-energy-costs/
BANGOR, Maine — Six years before Maine utility companies are required to get at least 10 percent of their power from renewable energy sources, a coalition of Maine businesses, organizations and individuals is trying to get that amount doubled.
And if the Maine Citizens for Clean Energy coalition gets its way, Maine’s utilities would have just three more years to do it.
WABI, October 28, 2011
http://www.wabi.tv/news/24690/maine-citizens-for-clean-energy-unveils-new-initiative-promises-jobs
They represent business, labor and the environment.
They're Maine Citizens for Clean Energy and they want to increase energy independence in the state.
"The question is if we don't do it now then when are we. When know that oil is a finite resource and we know while we're using it we continue to give money to countries that don't have American interest at heart," says Iraq war veteran Andrew Campbell.
Campbell says five billion dollars is spent every year on foreign oil and it's going into the hands of what he calls "anti-American regimes."
The group is calling for an initiative that would require electric utilities to invest in energy efficiency to cut down on costs.
MaineBiz, October 28, 2011
http://www.mainebiz.biz/news48692.html
A coalition of businesses and environmental groups yesterday launched a citizens' initiative to double the state's renewable energy benchmark, by mandating 20% of the state's electricity come from green sources by 2020.
Portland Press Herald, October 28, 2011
http://www.pressherald.com/news/Dispatches-oct-27-2011.html
A coalition of business, environmental and labor groups is kicking off a ballot initiative campaign it says would control energy costs, create jobs and cut pollution.
The coalition announced Thursday in Bangor that it’s created a group called Maine Citizens for Clean Energy to collect signatures to put a question on the November 2012 ballot.
The question would ask voters if they want to require that at least 20 percent of Maine’s electricity come from new renewable energy sources by 2020, while also requiring electric utilities to invest in energy efficiency whenever it would reduce energy costs for ratepayers.
BusinessWeek, October 28, 2011
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9QKPMBG0.htm
A coalition of business, environmental and labor groups in Maine is kicking off a ballot initiative campaign it says would control energy costs, create jobs and cut pollution.
The coalition announced Thursday in Bangor that it's created a group called Maine Citizens for Clean Energy to collect signatures to put a question on the November 2013 ballot.
The question would ask voters if they want to require that at least 20 percent of Maine's electricity to come from new renewable energy sources by 2020, while also requiring electric utilities to invest in energy efficiency whenever it would reduce energy costs for ratepayers.
Coalition members include the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the Maine Renewable Energy Coalition, Reed & Reed construction company and the Maine State Building and Construction Trades Council.