By Ann-Marie Mastraccio, William Noon, and Patricia Hymanson Seacoast Online news story In 2010 and 2012, Mainers voted to approve over $14 million in bonds to fund projects by the Land for Maine’s Future program. These projects involve nearly 50,000 acres of conservation land used for recreation, agriculture, water access and wildlife preservation across the Read More
Maine Environmental News
Maine environmental news often comes quickly and with little warning. Stay up to date on Maine environment news.
From issues such as climate change, healthy waters, Maine forests and wildlife, and sustainability—and environmental policy that could impact them—you’ll find NRCM’s up-to-the-minute news releases to see our perspective on the most pressing issues facing Maine’s land, air, waters, and wildlife. This includes findings relating to our role as Maine’s watchdog of activities of state environmental agencies—we stand ready to blow the whistle when regulations are not enforced.
You can also find our news “round up,” News & Noteworthy, which puts the spotlight on media stories that do a particularly good job capturing current news about Maine's environment. We hope you find this part of our website helpful and informative!
Car Dealers Have Integrity Where Lawmakers Don’t
By Adam Lee, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Last year, my employees shook more than 10,000 hands with the words, “thank you, we have a deal.” Typically this is followed by a lot of paperwork, but the handshake seals the deal. If on the original copy of the paperwork there is one Read More
Maine Groups Push for Bill Aimed at Encouraging Use of Solar Energy
By Susan Sharon MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine – Business, conservation and municipal leaders, and others lined up at the State House on Thursday to encourage lawmakers to open the door to solar energy. The state of Maine, they say, is failing to help towns, businesses and homeowners invest in this clean energy resource and Read More
Maine Solar Energy Advocates Stand Behind Incentives
But critics say a Freeport lawmaker’s proposal, setting ambitious goals in the next seven years, would cost ratepayers too much. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — The coastal towns of South Portland and Gouldsboro don’t share many attributes, apart from dramatic ocean and harbor views. But on Thursday, officials Read More
New Bill Could Increase Access to Solar Power for Mainers
by Nakell Williams WABI-TV news story Solar for Maine now was the message from a group at the State House encouraging lawmakers to put their efforts behind solar energy policy. “Why pay for power for your life when you can own it in ten years and have free power after that,” said SunDog Solar President, Read More
Solar Supporters Detail Economic and Public Benefits of Solar
Proposed Maine Solar Legislation Will Increase Access to Solar, Lower Electric Costs for All, Spur Job Creation NRCM news release Augusta, ME—Municipal, business, conservation leaders and others gathered at the State House today to describe the benefits of solar power for Maine, and urge lawmakers to take action to prevent Maine from falling further behind Read More
Plastic Bag Fees, Styrofoam Ban Take Effect Wednesday
Ordinances aimed at reducing litter WMTW-TV news story PORTLAND, Maine —A new five-cent fee for plastic shopping bags and a ban on polystyrene food containers goes into effect Wednesday in Portland. While consumers may be aware of the five-cent charge that they will have to pay for plastic grocery bags, it is not the only Read More
Healthy Pregnancies Depend on Good Information about Toxic Chemicals
Maine lawmakers should pass the Healthy Kids Bill introduced by Rep. Sara Gideon, D-Freeport. By Dr. Jeff Peterson Portland Press Herald op-ed When a woman finds out that she is pregnant, usually one of the first things she does is seek out information from books or health care professionals about what she should and shouldn’t be Read More
Freeport Council Moves Closer to Ban or Fee on Disposable Bags
The limits of such a measure are likely to be complex for a town famous for outlets and L.L. Bean. By Matt Byrne, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The Freeport Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday to pursue an ordinance to ban or impose a fee on single-use bags as part of an effort Read More