41,000 Comments Submitted from U.S. and Canadian Citizens Against Threat of Piecemeal Proposal Portland, Maine—The Canadian National Energy Board today closed public input on the proposed Line 9 Reversal Phase I tar sands pipeline project after receiving more than 41,000 citizen comments in opposition. A coalition of 11 groups, including Environment Maine, Natural Resources Council Read More
Natural Resources Council of Maine Goes Solar
Nonprofit now powered with solar energy, expects to save $32,000 over life of project NRCM and ReVision Energy AUGUSTA, ME – The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), the state’s leading environmental advocacy organization, has begun powering its Augusta headquarters with solar energy. NRCM partnered with ReVision Energy, a leader in solar design, installation, and Read More
Mining Track Record Brings Worries for Maine
by Ernest W. Hilton Bangor Daily News op-ed Jeff Reardon of Trout Unlimited recently wrote an OpEd in the BDN in opposition to a legislative initiative to amend Maine mining laws to facilitate open pit mining in the Bald Mountain area northwest of Ashland. His major premise was that the sulfide mineralization in Maine rock Read More
NRCM Comments on the Open Pit Mining Bill LD 1853
by Lisa Pohlmann, NRCM Executive Director A new open-pit mining bill, LD 1853, was introduced just a couple of weeks ago. It would allow much more toxic mining pollution than Maine’s current rules allow. This complex and sweeping bill was released for “public review” less than 24 hours before the public hearing. Mining is currently Read More
Creature Feature: Sea Lamprey
The sea lamprey is native to Maine. Anything negative you may have heard about it is undoubtedly rumor that has drifted East from some other part of the country where the lamprey is not native and, as non-native introduced species tend to be, is considered a pest. Maine’s lamprey is one of nearly 50 species in rivers and coastal seas around the world.
Warming Winters Threaten Maine’s Outdoor Traditions
“On Thin Ice” Report Details Impacts on Maine’s Outdoor Heritage Natural Resources Council of Maine and National Wildlife Federation Augusta, Maine—Near-record warmth in the winter of 2011-2012 left wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts and the businesses in winter-based sectors scrambling to adapt—and it’s just a preview of what’s to come in a warming world, according to Read More
Governor LePage Proposal to Abolish State Planning Office Sparks Fight
by Mal Leary MPBN news story Gov. Paul LePage is proposing that the State Planning Office be abolished, and its functions assumed by other state agencies. He wants some of the department’s resources to go to a new Office of Policy and Management but the initiative is drawing concerns from both parties. The first red Read More
Maine LURC Reform Proposal Wins Key Committee Endorsement
MPBN news story A controversial proposal to revamp the Land Use Regulation Commission has been unanimously approved by a legislative committee, virtually guaranteeing its passage by the full Legislature. Debate over the future of the agency responsible for zoning and planning in Maine’s vast unorganized territories has raged for more than a year. But one Read More
Inside Maine’s Woods
You are used to watching our “Insider” videos from the State House or various other venues where NRCM staff are working each day. We thought this video was a great way to bring you “inside” Maine’s woods. The video is taken by a homemade motion-sensored camera built by NRCM member Bryan Wells. Read more about this video Read More
