Advocates Urge PUC to Protect Ratepayers September 16, 2024 (Augusta, ME) — The plan to take Maine’s largest utility private is raising serious concerns about the impact on electricity customers and the role of utilities in helping the state meet its clean energy goals. Iberdrola’s $2.5 billion buyout of public shares of Central Maine Power’s 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!
Sales Notice Posted for Gulf of Maine Wind Projects
News Release September 16, 2024 (Augusta, ME) – The federal government today issued its final sale notice for the responsible development of offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) notice sets October 29th as the date for its auction of lease areas for building floating offshore wind projects Read More
Vote Yes on Question 4 Campaign Launched to Support Maine Trails
News release Leading voices from Maine’s outdoor recreation, conservation, and economic development communities today launched a campaign urging voters to invest in Maine’s trails by voting Yes on Question 4 on November’s ballot. Question 4 will provide sorely needed funding to repair and expand all types of trails statewide by creating a first-ever $30 million Read More
News & Noteworthy—April – June 2024
Each month, we highlight news stories and opinion pieces related to the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s work to protect Maine’s air, land, water, and wildlife. June 2024 The Bangor Daily News wrote an in-depth story about the four dams on the Kennebec River from Waterville to Skowhegan that are blocking spawning grounds for the endangered Read More
Mainers Urge Collaborative Solution for Future of Kennebec and Salmon
May 21, 2024 (Waterville/Augusta, ME) — Thousands of Mainers who care about the fate of Maine’s Kennebec River are urging federal officials to consider survival of sea-run fish, including critically endangered Atlantic salmon, as licensing actions for the river’s lowermost four dams are underway. More than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for a Read More
Maine Trails Bond Approved by Legislature
Proposal to invest $30 million on trails headed to November ballot April 16, 2024 (Augusta, ME) – The Maine Legislature today approved the Maine Trails Bond that would provide $30 million over four years to invest in the design, development, and maintenance of trails statewide. In a strong show of bipartisan support, the House voted 133-6, Read More
Restored Protections for Endangered Species Will Benefit Maine Wildlife
Maine Audubon | Natural Resources Council of Maine March 29, 2024 (Augusta, ME) – As Maine’s iconic wildlife faces increasing threats from climate change, development, and pollution, restored protections for endangered species proposed by the federal government promise to help. Yesterday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Read More
News & Noteworthy—January – March 2024
Each month, we highlight news stories and opinion pieces related to NRCM’s work to protect Maine’s air, land, water, and wildlife. March 2024 NRCM Sustainable Maine Program Manager Vanessa Berry was featured in an NPR story about Maine’s first-in-the-nation Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging law and other states trying to pass similar legislation. L.L. Bean’s Read More
Board of Environmental Protection Strikes Down Life-saving Cleaner Cars Rule
Maine will not join 13 other states in adopting pollution reduction program; state at risk of not meeting climate goals Augusta – Today, after more than a year of rulemaking and public engagement, Maine’s Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) voted not to adopt the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) rule, leaving billions in health and Read More
