Say action on climate change pollution is important for Maine’s identity, culture. NRCM news release Today, business leaders gathered at the iconic Porthole Restaurant on Portland Harbor to release a letter to Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King urging their support for proposed national standards on power plant carbon pollution that are as strong 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 Business Owners Throw Their Support Behind New Federal Carbon Pollution Limits
by Seth Koenig, BDN staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine — Damariscotta River oyster farmer Bill Mook said on May 9 of last year, the average daily amount of carbon dioxide in the planet’s atmosphere crossed the 400-parts-per-million threshold. The last time humans encountered carbon dioxide levels that high, they were just evolving Read More
Tar Sands Could Flow to New England If Pipelines are Built
By John H. Cushman Jr., InsideClimate News Bangor Daily News news story In contrast to regions such as the upper Midwest, the Northeast’s fuel supply has been nearly free of tar sands crude. That may change in coming years if pipeline expansions sought by Canada’s industry proceed, an environmental group is warning. An increase in Read More
Metallic Mining Rules Endanger What’s Best about Maine — The Legislature Should Reject Them
By Susan Davies Bangor Daily News op-ed The new metallic mineral mining rule that Maine Board of Environmental Protection has just sent to the Legislature for approval makes me think of that line in the Joni Mitchell song: “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you got till it’s gone?” I’m Read More
Report: Oil Industry Plans to Pump Refined Tar Sands to Maine
Disregarding Public Opposition, Threatening Progress on Climate Change News Release Portland, Maine—Unless we act to stop it, Maine motorists may soon be filling their tanks with gasoline derived from Canadian tar sands, according to a new report released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The oil industry plans to start pumping refined tar sands gasoline Read More
Maine Bill Aims to Boost Solar Power Development
by Patty B. Wight MPBN radio news story The heat of the sun may seem far away on this bitterly cold day. But it was the focus of debate in the Legislature’s Energy and Utilities Committee. A new bill aims to make solar power more affordable and accessible for Mainers. But opponents question the push Read More
Solar Bill Fuels Debate on Maine’s Energy Future
by Alanna Durkin, Associated Press Boston Globe news story (AP) — A bill aimed at boosting solar energy development in Maine will strengthen the economy by creating jobs, protect the environment by reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and bring the state up to speed with the rest of New England in harnessing the sun’s Read More
Maine Mining Rules Get Initial Approval from Board
The new regulations are aimed at boosting the industry, but critics are fearful of creating pollution. by Michael Shepherd Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — In a preliminary vote Friday, a state board adopted a set of rules for metal mines aimed at spurring the industry in Maine, a move criticized by environmentalists who Read More
Board of Environmental Protection Unanimously Approves New Maine Mining Rules
by Whit Richardson, staff writer Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — The Board of Environmental Protection on Friday afternoon voted 5-0 to approve new mining rules that govern metallic mining operations in the state. At issue are detailed rules developed by the Department of Environmental Protection in accordance with LD 1853, new mining Read More