News release Today the Maine Senate voted 29-5 (with one abstention) to support LD 1658, a bill that would phase out the toxic flame retardant known as “deca,” in favor of safer alternatives. The bill, An Act to Protect Pregnant Women and Children from Toxic Chemicals Released into the Home, sponsored by Representative Hannah Pingree 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!
NRCM Endorses Black Nubble Wind Farm
Redington Mountain Would Earn Protection The Natural Resources Council of Maine today announced that it strongly supports a proposal by Maine Mountain Power (MMP) to scale back its controversial Redington Wind Farm project. MMP today informed Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission that the company plans to seek approval for a wind farm only on Black Read More
Summary of NRCM’s Androscoggin River Discharge Permit Appeal
On Wednesday, May 2, 2007, the Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) began 6 days of hearings to consider an appeal by NRCM and others of the Department of Environmental Protection’s proposed wastewater discharge license for the Verso papermill in Jay, Maine, formerly owned by IP. More than three decades after former Maine Senator Edmund Muskie Read More
International Award Given to NRCM
Natural Resources Council of Maine wins EPA award for global warming work Washington, D.C. and Augusta, ME (May 1) —On Tuesday May 1, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) was awarded a 2007 Climate Protection Award from the Climate Protection Partnerships Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to the EPA, the Read More
Battle of Fort Halifax Drawing to a Close?
Kennebec Journal editorial The end may finally be in sight for the long-running conflicts over the Fort Halifax Dam on the Sebasticook in Winslow. The dam is an integral part of the state and federal government’s plan to restore native, migratory fish such as alewives, shad, sturgeon and atlantic salmon to the upper reaches of Read More
Company Seeks Approval to Buy Fort Halifax Dam
Deal Would Keep Dam, Build Fish Passage By Craig Crosby, Staff Writer Kennebec Journal news story WINSLOW — A Boston company is primed to purchase Fort Halifax Dam with the intention of saving it from destruction. Essex Hydro Associates has reached a deal in principle to purchase the dam from FPL Energy, said Barry Flynn, vice Read More
Plum Creek: Please Get It Right
by Eleanor Kinney Maine Sunday Telegram op-ed Plum Creek has gone back to the drawing board. It needed to. Its plan to build two resorts and 975 house lots scattered across the Moosehead Lake Region has created controversy and concern throughout our state. Plum Creek, a real estate investment trust and the largest private property Read More
Governor Baldacci Announces Major Global Warming Bill
Will Seek Legislative Authorization for Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Governor Baldacci announced today that he will submit to the Legislature a bill that will reduce global warming pollution from power plants by 30%. The bill will authorize Maine to formally join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a 10-state agreement to put mandatory limits on Read More
Plum Creek’s Plan for Massive Development in Maine Draws Criticism
By Mea Andrews of the Missoulian The Missoulian news story For a snapshot of what Plum Creek Timber Co. might do with prime real estate land, Montana can look 2,000 miles away to the North Woods of Maine. In April 2005, the company submitted a 570-page “concept plan” for the Moosehead Lake region. It is Read More
