“Imagine you make the decision to save money by using a clothesline rather than a dryer, but at the end of the month you are billed for the energy you saved,” said Sean Mahoney, Director of CLF Maine. “That’s what the PUC has just done to every family and business that uses solar power. Revoking the incentive structure alone would have been outrageous, but to go one step further and actually charge us for electricity we’re not buying is downright criminal. Once again, we see this LePage-appointed commission kowtow to the whims of Big Gas and Big Oil while leaving the people of Maine out to dry.”
Mar 1
2017
2017
Mar 1
2017
2017
Environmental groups to make hard push to reverse Maine’s new solar rules
… The Conservation Law Foundation also expressed its disapproval of the new rules. “Imagine you make the decision to save money by using a clothesline rather than a dryer, but at the end of the month you are billed for the energy you saved,” Sean Mahoney, director of the foundation’s Maine Advocacy Center, said in…
Feb 6
2017
2017
Rooftop Solar under Threat in New Hampshire
Some state legislators are gunning for rooftop solar. Last year, New Hampshire legislators passed a bill that directed the Public Utilities Commission to open a proceeding to collect and analyze data to decide two things: First, whether the state needs a cap on the number of solar and other distributed clean energy installations permitted in…
Dec 13
2016
2016
Federal Appeals Court Gives Go Ahead to Connecticut’s Renewable Energy Programs
In a case challenging Connecticut’s authority to implement two key renewable energy programs, a federal appeals court issued a ruling yesterday, allowing the programs to proceed. The Court’s ruling, coming just a day after it heard oral arguments in the case, reinforces the viability and legitimacy of Connecticut’s renewable energy programs and similar programs being…
Dec 12
2016
2016
A Solid Path Forward – Renewable Energy In Vermont
Setting big goals and standards for cutting greenhouse gases or increasing renewable energy is one thing. Putting in place the nuts and bolts to actually make it happen is another. A recent Vermont Public Service Board order implements the renewable energy standard that was put in place by legislation (Act 56) in 2015. The order…
Dec 8
2016
2016
Going Low-Carb
Transforming New England’s Energy System New England’s coal-fired power plants were at their peak when CLF opened its doors 50 years ago. The majority of the region’s coal fleet came online in the post-war boom years of the1950s and 1960s and they would go on to dominate our region’s electricity mix for decades. Today, however,…
Dec 7
2016
2016
Trump to Put Noted Climate Denier at Helm of EPA
“President-elect Trump’s intention to nominate climate denier and leading clean energy opponent Scott Pruitt to lead EPA mocks the states, businesses, and innovators who have led the transition away from fossil fuel dependency, and mocks the many leaders in his own party who understand the perils and opportunities climate change presents,” said CLF President Bradley Campbell. “But we’ve had to take on EPA before, and today’s announcement only strengthens our resolve to protect the health and safety of New Englanders. We stand ready to vigorously defend and enforce critical protections and safeguards like the Clean Water Act from any attempt to turn back the clock on environmental protection.”
Oct 25
2016
2016
Your Voice Needed to Support Rooftop Solar in New Hampshire
The Public Utilities Commission currently holds the future of rooftop solar in New Hampshire in its hands. Entrenched interests in New Hampshire are fighting the burgeoning growth of rooftop solar in the state. But CLF knows that rooftop solar powers homes and supports the electric grid. Even more importantly, it empowers the fight against climate…
Oct 14
2016
2016
Mainers: The Time to Speak Up on Solar is NOW
Last month, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) proposed changes to Maine’s net metering rule that threaten to stall the state’s progress in increasing its supply of clean, home-grown energy. In proposing the change, the PUC ignored their own study showing that the value of solar energy exceeds associated costs. What’s more, it disregarded the comments…
Sep 1
2016
2016
Don’t Believe the Hype: Solar Power Benefits All Mainers
Mainers like solar power, they want more of it, and they don’t want to change how solar panel owners are paid for it. That’s the take-home message of comments Maine residents submitted to the state’s Public Utilities Commission in its current proceeding to review how solar power customers are reimbursed for the power they produce.…