Francis says scientists have clearly charted what needed to be done to reverse course on global warming. by the Associated Press Central Maine newspapers news story ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — Pope Francis has sharply criticized climate change skeptics, saying history will judge those who failed to take the necessary decisions to curb heat-trapping emissions 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.
Zinke’s Decision to Keep Maine Monument Worth Celebrating
By John Holyoke Bangor Daily News column After months of nervous hand-wringing, news began to trickle out of Washington, D.C., on Thursday that ought to make many supporters of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument happy. The review of the monument by Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke is complete, and first indications, according to Read More
Interior Secretary Wants to Keep Maine’s Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument
Ryan Zinke is not recommending the removal of any of the 27 monuments under review but said some could be changed. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke will not recommend elimination of Katahdin Woods and Waters or other national monuments in a report expected to Read More
With Decision Looming, NRCM Report Spotlights Katahdin Woods and Waters Economic Benefits
A new report released today on the eve of the first anniversary of the creation of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument — as well as an expected decision by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke about its fate — shows the national monument already is spurring economic benefits to a region hit hard by paper mill Read More
New Report: At First Anniversary — Local Voices Praise Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument
News release Bangor — The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) today released a new report featuring business and civic leaders from the Katahdin region describing how Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is providing positive benefits to their communities. The report was issued to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the National Monument, which Read More
Aggressive Caps on Carbon Emissions Would Benefit Regional Greenhouse Gas Efforts
The program has missed opportunities to do more for the environment, energy efficiency and the economy. by Tom Tietenberg of Waterville is the Mitchell Family Professor of Economics Emeritus at Colby College Portland Press Herald op-ed WATERVILLE — One of the unsung heroes in Maine’s drive to prepare our homes and businesses for a secure Read More
It’s Only Been a Year, but the Monument is Already Benefiting the Katahdin Region
By Richard Schmidt III, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed As the anniversary of the designation of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument approaches, this is a good time to celebrate all the benefits the monument is already bringing to Maine and its people, even those few but vocal people who opposed the Read More
One Year Later, National Monument Stands Its Ground
Despite lingering doubts, a ‘definitely beautiful’ site has drawn tourists, investors and even skeptics. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story TOWNSHIP 2, RANGE 8 — They had come from as far away as New York’s Long Island and as close as Mattawamkeag, navigating extremely “unimproved” roads with minimal signage to find Read More
New RGGI Guidelines Could Earn Maine Up to $22.5M a Year in Pollution-cutting Credits
by Lori Valigra Mainebiz news story Maine could stand to earn a maximum of $22.5 million and a minimum of $13.7 million a year through 2030, depending on how much and how fast the state plans to cut pollution in coming years, a recent National Resources Defense Council analysis shows. Maine and the five other Read More
