Together, We Can Strengthen Rural Maine
We believe rural Mainers have a lot of valuable ideas and, when everyone cooperates, the resources to benefit from those ideas. Together, let’s harness this wealth to strengthen our rural communities for a new generation!
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The Community-Based Renewable Energy Act
Signed into law on June 9, 2009, the Community-Based Renewable Energy Act promotes the development of locally-owned renewable energy generators. The law is largely based on a bill endorsed by Maine Rural Partners, and MRP staff contributed to the concept and language in this legislation.
The Act defines community renewable energy as that produced by ventures majority-owned by local entities. It establishes a preference for the state to buy this energy whenever it is economically feasible to do so, and creates a standard “green power” option in addition to the standard offer—thereby providing consumers with this same purchasing opportunity. A pilot program is also established to directly incentivize community renewable energy.
Although this bill has already been signed into law, there will be a public ceremony to celebrate Governor Baldacci’s signing of this bill at 1:30pm on Wednesday, June 24. MRP thanks the entire Utilities and Energy Committee, and particularly Bruce MacDonald, David van Wie and Ken Fletcher, for their work to refine and advocate for our proposal.
More information, including the full text as signed, is available in PDF format.
The President’s Budget: What’s In It for Rural America?
The Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) has released a summary of how President Obama’s FY 2010 budget proposal will impact rural America. There are a number of proposals that will benefit rural residents, especially in the President’s priority areas of health care, energy, and education. Of course, some of the budget’s cuts will also affect us. We encourage you to read the full report on RUPRI’s site to stay informed about how our nation’s spending priorities will affect our communities.
Harvesting Clean Energy
A program of our Farm Energy Partners network, Harvesting Clean Energy promotes energy conservation and renewable energy production.
Stay up to date with current energy-related news and programs from MRP and others by subscribing to Harvesting Clean Energy’s newsletter today! Read the July issue now.
The 2009 edition of our Farm Energy Field Guide is now available online!