NRCM press release With critical federal tax incentives set to expire on December 31, twelve Maine organizations joined more than 230 other organizations and elected officials Wednesday to urge the Obama Administration to take swift, bold action to facilitate the development of offshore wind power. Their letter to the President is available here. A 12-megawatt (MW) offshore 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!
South Portland Tar Sands Ordinance Could Face Court Challenge
by Susan Sharon MPBN news story The American Petroleum Insititute has told South Portland that a moratorium on tar sands oil activity would likely violate a number of laws, as well as the Constitution’s Commerce Clause. The city of South Portland, which is currently considering a moratorium on the shipping of tar sands oil from Read More
LePage Criticized for Opting Maine Out of Anti-smog Effort
Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Environmental groups attacked Gov. Paul LePage on Monday for his refusal to sign a petition in favor of tough standards in nine states from which pollution affects air quality in Maine and other eastern states. Governors in eight northeastern and mid-Atlantic states — including every New England Read More
State Regulators Dig Into Maine Mining Rules
An overhaul aimed at updating standards alarms environmentalists. by North Cairn, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — State regulations that would make it easier for mining companies to operate in Maine moved one step closer to completion Tuesday as the Board of Environmental Protection voted to post for public comment new changes Read More
Offshore Wind Project Will Benefit Maine’s Economy and the Environment
The state is in a strong position to compete for a pilot project grant from U.S. Department of Energy. by Sara Gideon Portland Press Herald op-ed FREEPORT — What if, right now in Maine, a project proposed making good use of two of our state’s greatest assets: Maine’s natural resources and the University of Maine’s Read More
Feds Tell Portland Pipe Line Corp. that Any Future Plans to Carry Tar Sands Must be Reviewed
by Whit Richardson, staff writer Bangor Daily News news story SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — In what opponents are characterizing as a reversal of an earlier decision, the U.S. Department of State in August informed the Portland Pipe Line Corp. that it wants to review any future plans the company may propose to reverse the flow Read More
Eye on Augusta: Controversial New Rules Proposed for Metallic Mineral Mining in Maine
by Andy O’Brien Freepressonline.com news story One of the most contentious environmental battles that will be fought when the Legislature reconvenes in January will likely be over metallic mineral mining in Maine. In 2012, lobbyists representing the Canadian corporation J.D. Irving, Limited brought forward a bill to rewrite Maine’s mining standards to aid in the Read More
Report: Climate Change Impacting Game Species in Maine
Heat, Disease Threaten Big Game and Their Habitats NRCM and NWF press release Augusta, ME (September 25, 2013) – Rising temperatures, spreading diseases, and more extreme weather events fueled by manmade climate change are making survival more challenging for America’s treasured big game wildlife from coast to coast, according to a new report from the Read More
Majority of Comments Oppose New Maine Mining Rules
by Jen Lynds, staff writer Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Members of the Natural Resources Council of Maine say that citizens have stepped forward in force to oppose draft rules for mining in the state. The proposed regulations, which were introduced in August, have been the subject of controversy since last year Read More