The agency misses deadlines and loses its say on five water-control projects, but says the impact will be ‘zero.’ by Colin Woodard, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has again missed critical deadlines and cost the state its authority to set terms in the federal relicensing of dam 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!
Oil Industry Anxious for Dirty Tar Sands
by Norton Lamb and Dylan Voorhees, Natural Resources Council of Maine American Journal op-ed There is a vast volume of tar sands oil being mined in the center of Canada, and Big Oil is anxious to get it to a coast so it can ship this dirty fuel to lucrative global markets. These oil companies Read More
Draft of New Maine Mining Rules Raises Concerns
by North Cairn, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story The state Department of Environmental Protection, working with an out-of-state contractor, has proposed new mining rules that already are sparking controversy. The department released a 78-page draft late Friday and posted it on its website. When asked for comment on Monday, several legislators, Board of Read More
“I Will Act on Climate” Bus Tour Arrives in Maine
Maine business, health, elected, academic, conservation leaders express their support, urge support for federal climate change standards Press Release Bangor/Portland—A coalition of local business, health, elected, academic, and conservation leaders are joining the “I Will Act on Climate” bus as it arrived in Bangor and Portland, Maine Monday, August 12, as part of 27-state tour. Read More
Dam Owners Should Help Finance Kennebec Fish Run Restoration
by Clinton B. “Bill” Townsend Kennebec Journal op-ed The Kennebec River once hosted enormous runs of Atlantic salmon, river herring and other fish that live part of their lives in fresh water and part in the ocean. By the 19th century, however, those resources had become only a fast-fading memory. Water pollution, over-harvesting and impassable Read More
Maine Should Not Let Pollution Standards Slip
The state has too much to lose by backing out of a regional agreement to control emissions. Maine Sunday Telegram editorial The height of the tourist season is an odd time to get into a big fight over relaxing Maine’s clean air standards. Millions come here to experience our lakes, mountains and seashore, and they Read More
Energy Bill Also Increases Funding for Efficiency Programs
by Andy O’Brien Freepressonline.com news story Not all environmental groups opposed the omnibus energy bill. Support from the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) hinged on increasing funding for the Efficiency Maine Trust and finalizing an agreement for Maine’s continued participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a regional cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse Read More
Opponents Rip LePage Plan to Diminish Maine’s Role in Anti-smog Efforts
By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Opposition is mounting to Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to limit Maine’s role in a 13-state initiative designed to curb the production of smog under the federal Clean Air Act. Numerous environmental groups and legislative Democrats weighed in against the proposal on Read More
Maine DEP Proposes Weakening Clean Air Requirement
Groups Voice Concerns and Call for Public Hearing Press Release PORTLAND—Several of Maine’s leading environmental and public health advocacy organizations today called on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to hold a public hearing on the LePage Administration’s proposal to weaken an important clean air standard on smog pollution from industrial sources. Maine DEP Read More