by A.J. Higgins Maine Public news story A pair of bills has surfaced in the Legislature’s Transportation Committee that would try to help the cash-strapped state DOT find new ways to build and maintain roads. But a provision for billboards in one bill, and the option for business signs in another, created an uproar during public 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!
“Protecting the Nature of Maine” Wins New England Emmy Nomination
News Release Protecting the Nature of Maine: 50 Years of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, was nominated for a New England Emmy Award by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in the Outstanding Environmental Program category. The Emmy Awards ceremony will be held on May 14 in Boston. “We are pleased that Read More
Court Strikes Down Plum Creek Plan
Statement by NRCM Executive Director Lisa Pohlmann We are pleased and gratified by the Superior Court’s decision today to strike down the Land Use Regulation Commission’s approval of Plum Creek’s massive development proposal for the Moosehead Lake region. The plan calls for 2,000 resort and vacation home units scattered around Moosehead Lake. In his ruling, Read More
Maine Voters Oppose Environmental Rollbacks
New Poll Shows Strong Support for Environmental Laws NRCM news release A poll conducted two weeks ago by Portland-based Critical Insights shows that Maine voters overwhelming oppose specific environmental rollback proposals now before the Maine Legislature, including efforts to weaken shoreland zoning, the bottle bill, and Maine’s energy building code. The survey finds that Maine voters Read More
New Poll Shows Mainers Support Environment
Statement by NRCM Executive Director Lisa Pohlmann The message from the poll that we are releasing today is absolutely clear: Maine’s clean air, clean water, and natural heritage is a high priority. The poll also demonstrates that Mainers decisively reject the notion that our environmental laws are causing a significant drag on our economy. They Read More
Chemical Industry Drafted Bill to Modify Maine’s Kids Safe Act
by Susan Sharon MPBN radio news story The sponsor of a bill that environmentalists say would dramatically weaken Maine’s Kid Safe Products Act acknowledged today that the chemical industry drafted the language. Republican Rep. Jim Hamper says the proposed reforms are necessary to improve the act, which he thinks is overly broad and creates uncertainty Read More
Vernal Pools at Center of Maine Environmental Regulation Debate
MPBN radio news story Conservationists, sportsmen and wetlands scientists gathered today in Augusta to speak out — again — against proposals before the Legislature. They complain the measures will undermine decades of progress by dirtying Maine’s waterways and polluting the wetlands that wading shorebirds and other waterfowl depend on to thrive. But Republicans say the Read More
Sportsmen, Scientists, Clammers, and Others Speak Out Against Attacks on Water Quality Safeguards
NRCM * Maine Audubon * SAM * Maine Rivers * Maine Clammers’ Association * COLA * BRCA * Lakes Environmental Association AUGUSTA – At a statehouse news conference today, sportsmen, lake advocates, and experts on wildlife, water quality, and fisheries decried legislative attacks on Maine’s natural heritage. “There is an all-out assault on Maine’s water Read More
New EPA Rules Would Clean Up Toxic Pollution from Power Plants
NRCM, others, brought lawsuit seeking these rules Today EPA announced requirements to reduce toxic air emissions from coal- and oil-fired power plants, which emit 50% of the mercury, 50% of the acid gases, and 25% of the heavy metals released into the air by industry in the U.S. today. This industry also emits dioxins and Read More
