Statoil’s departure should not obscure all the progress of this renewable energy resource. by Paul Williamson Portland Press Herald op-ed PORTLAND — There has been a lot said about the terminated Statoil Offshore Wind Project in past weeks with months of additional comment leading up to this period. Yes, it is a loss to our 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 Congratulates South Portland Residents for Hard-fought Campaign to Protect Community
Laments relentless oil industry spending on misinformation campaign Statement of NRCM CEO Lisa Pohlmann, on South Portland Waterfront South Portland, ME — Today’s vote of 4,453 against and 4,261 for — a 200-vote margin — on the Waterfront Protection Ordinance to protect South Portland from tar sands is a disappointing outcome for the people of Read More
Maine Legislators Try to End Missed Dam Deadlines
A bill would tighten oversight of the DEP when it comes to dam relicensing to keep the state from losing its say on water levels. by Colin Woodard Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Lawmakers want to impose firmer oversight of the Department of Environmental Protection’s handling of dam relicensing after the state missed Read More
Killing of Statoil Project for Political Reasons Hurt Maine and Its Workers
Gov. LePage’s contempt for wind power blocked an opportunity and, worse, harmed Maine’s reputation. By Senate President Justin Alfond, D-Portland Portland Press Herald op-ed PORTLAND — It’s not often that Maine — or, frankly, any state — has an opportunity to become the home, the hub, of a worldwide innovator. It’s not often that Maine Read More
New Carbon Emissions Rules Offer Great Benefits to Maine
by Tom Tietenberg Kennebec Journal op-ed A few years ago, I served on a panel as part of a National Academy of Sciences study titled “America’s Climate Choices.” One of the takeaway lessons from that study was that carbon dioxide has a very long residence time in the atmosphere, up to 1,000 years. It is Read More
Repeal Mining Law; Don’t Mine Bald Mountain
by Jody Spear Bangor Daily News op-ed It pays to take notes at public hearings held by state regulatory boards. Scribes who stayed for the entire day were able to fill volumes on Oct. 17, when dozens of people came before the Board of Environmental Protection to register concerns about new rules proposed expressly to Read More
2013 NRCM Environmental Awards for Fighting Tar Sands Oil and LPG Tank, and Advocating for Alewives
NRCM news release Augusta, ME – The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) has awarded its 2013 NRCM Environmental Awards to an outstanding individual and two groups of activists working to project Maine’s environment. The awards, which are presented at NRCM’s annual meeting, are given each year to people and groups that have made a Read More
Many Testify Against Revising Maine Mining Rules
But those who speak in support of easing the standards say the changes would create jobs. by North Cairn, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A proposal to rewrite state regulations to streamline the permitting process for open-pit mining met with skepticism and impassioned opposition from scores of people who turned out Read More
South Portland Tar Sands Opponents Fear Pipeline Project, Cite Health Hazards
by Jackie Farwell, BDN staff Bangor Daily News news story SOUTH PORTLAND — Local residents determined to prevent the delivery of Canadian tar sands oil through a pipeline to tankers in South Portland warned Tuesday of the potential health hazards, even as a pipeline official again insisted the company has no such plans. A 236-mile-long Read More