Here’s how the Trump Administration’s attacks on American-made clean energy will make electricity in Maine more expensive and less reliable: There are a lot of actions on energy and the environment being taken by the Trump Administration these days, many of which will have real consequences for Maine people, local businesses, and our communities. Here, Read More
Federal Issues
Our advocates, members, supporters, and partners work to defend our hard-earned environmental safeguards and to ensure Maine’s elected officials in Washington, DC, stand up for Maine’s environment. Decisions made there have lasting effects on Maine’s clean water, fresh air, healthy forests, thriving wildlife, and on the health of Maine people, our economy, and our way of life.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine identifies and addresses the issues at play in our nation’s capital that have the largest impacts here at home.
Find out the latest on federal issues affecting our state's land, air, water, and wildlife.
ISO-NE CEO Reiterates Offshore Wind Essential for Future Grid Reliability
March 25, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) — In prepared remarks to be delivered to Congress today, the head of the Independent System Operator of New England, (ISO-NE), the independent group responsible for managing the region’s electric grid and wholesale energy markets, reiterates the importance of developing offshore wind projects for future grid reliability. The appearance by Read More
Mainers Speak Out Against Chaotic Federal Funding and Firing Decisions
News release March 19, 2025 (Brewer, ME) ━ One by one, a diverse group of Mainers including a fired federal worker, business and fishing groups, a veteran, and a SNAP participant spoke about the real-world harm that has been inflicted by the chaotic decision-making of the Trump Administration. Ocean Crawford, a mother of three from Read More
Massive EPA Proposal to Weaken Environmental Protections Would Harm Maine’s Clean Air and Water
March 13, 2025 (Augusta, ME) — Yesterday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin released a massive, broadside attack on rules that protect public health, the climate, and our environment from air pollution, water pollution, and toxic emissions from fossil fuel power plants. On the eve of addressing a major energy conference in Read More
Attacks on Environmental Laws and Investments Pose a Threat to Maine
Over the past two weeks, the Trump Administration has released a flurry of proposals aimed at increasing our use of expensive fossil fuels, undermining bedrock environmental laws, eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and attempting to override the role of Congress to decide how the budget of the United States will be spent. These actions Read More
New Report: Federal Climate Programs Spur $2.2B in Investment in Maine
February 3, 2025 (Augusta, ME) – The past few years have seen Maine families, local businesses, and Wabanaki Nations benefit from at least $2.2 billion in direct and induced investments in clean technology thanks to federal funding provided by Congress, according to a new analysis issued today. For the first time, the report quantifies the Read More
Congress Approves Bill to Expand Outdoor Equity
Today, the U.S. Senate approved the bipartisan Outdoors for All Act sponsored by Senator Susan Collins. The exciting investment in the nation’s outdoor spaces now heads to President Biden to be signed into law. The Natural Resources Council of Maine issued the following statement from Federal Policy Advocate Anya Fetcher: “Access to the outdoors and Read More
NRCM Urges Senators Collins, King Not to Undermine Senate Confirmation Process for Nominees
November 25, 2024 (Augusta, ME) — Maine’s leading environmental advocacy organization today urged Senators Susan Collins and Angus King to insist that the full, deliberative “advice and consent” process be pursued in the U.S. Senate for nominees to federal agencies that play a critical role in helping protect Maine’s environment. The Natural Resources Council of Read More
New Methane Pollution Charge Will Protect Our Health
November 15, 2024 (Augusta, ME) — A new rule announced this week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) aimed at slashing harmful methane pollution will protect clean air and safeguard human health. As part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the U.S. Congress adopted the methane waste emission charge as part of the Read More
