by John Richardson, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Maine has passed some of the country’s most aggressive environmental laws, from a ban on billboards in 1969 to a light bulb-recycling program signed by Gov. John Baldacci on Monday. For the past 50 years, the Natural Resources Council of Maine has been at 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!
Maine Governor Signs First-in-the-nation Law to Require Manufacturers to Recycle Mercury-containing Light Bulbs
New law protects families and the environment; Saves taxpayer money News release AUGUSTA – Today, Governor Baldacci signed a new first-in-the-nation law to help reduce mercury pollution by requiring compact fluorescent light bulb manufacturers to share the costs and responsibility for recycling their mercury-containing bulbs. Similar bills are now pending in MA, VT, and CA. Read More
Groups Call For Action to Open St. Croix River to Alewives
50 U.S. and Canadian Groups Petition International Body News Release McAdam, New Brunswick, Canada—Fifty organizations from the United States and Canada have called upon the International Joint Commission (IJC) to require that the St. Croix River be opened up for passage of alewives (river herring). The lead groups in this effort are the Atlantic Salmon Read More
Endangered Species Protections Extended to Atlantic Salmon on Three Major Maine Rivers
by Anne Ravana Maine Public Radio news story The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service today extended endangered species protections to Atlantic salmon in the Penobscot, Kennebec, and Androscoggin rivers and their watersheds. The news has not been well received by some Maine officials. The state’s Department of Read More
Maine House Unanimously Passes An Act Regarding Maine’s Energy Future, 137-0
NRCM news release Today the Maine House voted 137-0 to pass “An Act Regarding Maine’s Energy Future.” The bill was drafted by a joint select committee created this session by Speaker Hannah Pingree and Senate President Libby Mitchell. The bill sets ambitious goals to weatherize 100% of Maine residences and half of Maine businesses by Read More
Remarks on LURC’s Deliberations on Plum Creek’s Moosehead Lake Development Proposal
NRCM Statement By Brownie Carson, NRCM Executive Director Today, Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission is holding what is supposed to be its final deliberation about Plum Creek’s massive development proposal for the Moosehead Lake region. Although a final vote on Plum Creek’s revised plan is not expected until July 1st, the direction of this proceeding Read More
Maine Adopts First-in-the-nation Law to Recycle Mercurcy-containing Light Bulbs
New law protects families and the environment; saves taxpayer money NRCM news release The Maine House and Senate have voted to support a new, first-in-the-nation, law to help reduce mercury pollution by requiring compact fluorescent light bulb manufacturers to share the costs and responsibility for recycling their mercury-containing bulbs. Governor Baldacci is expected to sign Read More
NRCM Supports Record Hill Wind Power Project
Would generate enough clean electricity annually to power 20,000 homes Citing the benefits of clean renewable power to Maine people and our environment, the Natural Resources Council of Maine today announced its support for the 55megawatt (MW) Record Hill Wind Power Project proposed to be developed in Roxbury, Maine. A permit application currently is being Read More
Bipartisan Elected Leaders Rally for Land for Maine’s Future
News release AUGUSTA – In a broad display of bipartisan support, legislative leaders joined citizens, sportsmen, conservationists, farmers, businesses, and community leaders to encourage the Legislature to replenish the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program. Led by Sen. Bill Diamond (D-Windham), nearly 85 like-minded legislators co-sponsored LD 684, which would allocate $87.5 million over four Read More
