By Mike Tetreault and David Trahan, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News Story Other than Maine people, our state’s natural beauty and natural resources probably are our most important economic advantage. We have a long tradition of working together to manage our natural assets in a way that balances the perspectives of business, conservation, 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!
Maine’s Public Lands Transcend Their Revenue Value
Gov. LePage’s proposed timber harvest breaks land management tradition and treats the woods as a resource to be mined. By The Editorial Board Portland Press Herald editorial Maine’s 17 million-plus acres of forest have long been a source of industry. The wood became the ships of one era, the paper of another, and continues to Read More
Maine Lawmakers Hear Opposing Arguments on Bills to Charge for Disposable Bags
Supporters of three similar proposals say they reduce waste and pollution, while opponents say they add a burden on consumers and retailers. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Lawmakers heard lengthy testimony Monday on bills that would make Maine the latest state to charge consumers for disposable plastic bags. Read More
National Park Concept Win Bangor Council Endorsement
By Evan Belanger, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story BANGOR, Maine — After a lengthy discussion and public comment period, the Bangor City Council voted 7-2 Monday to support the concept of a national park and national recreation area in the Katahdin region. The decision comes after Elliotsville Plantation Inc. — a group headed Read More
Maine Lawmakers Considering Plastic Bag Controls
By Mal Leary MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine – Lawmakers are considering several bills that would discourage consumers from using plastic bags provided by retailers. Among the ideas is charging a fee for the bags. Rep. Mick Devin, a Newcastle Democrat, is sponsoring one of the bills, which would impose a five-cent fee per plastic Read More
Portland Food Retailers Gear Up for 5-Cent Plastic Bag Fee
By Tom Porter MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine – Maine lawmakers are considering several bills that would discourage the use of plastic bags by retailers, including one that would impose a fee for their use. Meanwhile, food retailers in Portland are gearing up for an ordinance also designed to limit the use of plastic bags. Read More
Lamey-Wellehan President Jim Wellehan Creates a Legacy of Advocacy and Fairness
by Dylan Martin MaineBiz news story Ask Jim Wellehan what it means to be a business leader, and for his initial response, you likely won’t hear him mention Lamey-Wellehan, his 100-year-old, Auburn-based family retail shoe business. Instead, he’ll bring up a word that means a great deal to him: community. “I love my community. I Read More
Project to Conserve Maine State House Backdrop in Limbo
Funding already approved for Augusta’s Howard Hill and other projects is in question as Gov. Paul LePage threatens to withhold Land for Maine’s Future bonds. By Michael Shepherd, Staff Writer Kennebec Journal news story AUGUSTA — A project that would preserve the wooded backdrop to the Maine State House has a problem in the Maine Read More
A Done Deal Gets Undone by PUC Efficiency Vote
The governor’s policy agenda is what drove the decision, not a missing word. By The Editorial Board Portland Press Herald editorial Let’s be clear: This is not about a missing word. When the Maine Public Utilities Commission voted 2-1 last week to slash a scheduled increase in the budget for energy-efficiency projects, the commissioners were Read More