NRCM news release The Natural Resources Council of Maine and Environment Maine today expressed deep concern that a study commission on the future of Maine’s North Woods will not provide an objective assessment, but instead has been stacked with people who are determined to abolish Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC). The 13 members of 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!
Lawsuit Challenges Clean Air Act Exemption for Biomass Burners
Clean Air Task Force Washington — Conservation groups filed suit today challenging an Environmental Protection Agency rule that exempts biomass-burning facilities from carbon dioxide limits under the Clean Air Act for the next three years. The Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Law Foundation, Georgia ForestWatch, Natural Resources Council of Maine, and Wild Virginia are asking Read More
Alewives Spark Legal Debate
By Nick Bennett, NRCM Staff Scientist Maine Lobsterman’s Association newsletter August 2011 guest column More than two years ago, the Maine Lobstermen’s Association joined the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, Maine Rivers and nearly 50 other conservation, sporting, and commercial fishing groups in petitioning the International Joint Commission (IJC) to reopen Read More
52 Miles of Kennebec River Shoreline Blocked from Development
From BDN and Wire Reports Bangor Daily News news story INDIAN STREAM TOWNSHIP, Maine — Maine officials say the state has been granted a conservation easement on Indian Pond at the headwaters of the Kennebec River. According to Gov. Paul LePage’s office, FPL Energy Maine Hydro LLC granted the easement as part of a settlement Read More
Land for Maine’s Future about to Exhaust Its $9M in Conservation Funds
by Kevin Miller Bangor Daily News news story A special board will meet Tuesday to decide which of nearly 40 proposals seeking to protect more than 80,000 acres in Maine should receive a share of $9.25 million available through the Land for Maine’s Future program. But Tuesday’s meeting will all but empty the land conservation Read More
EPA Announces New Power Plant Pollution Cuts That Will Save Lives and Help Mainers Breathe Easier
Improved Clean Air Standards to Curb Air Pollution that Pours into Maine from States to Our South and West AUGUSTA— Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized updated clean air standards that will protect public health by targeting air pollution that crosses state borders and will make it easier for states like Maine to protect Read More
Anti-Environment Agenda Largely Defeated at State House
Majority of Rollbacks Rejected in Response to Overwhelming Opposition NRCM news release As the Legislature adjourned this week, it left behind a pile of defeated environmental rollback bills that were deemed too extreme and too strongly opposed by Maine people to be enacted into law. “More bills were introduced this session to weaken or repeal Read More
Maine Sporting Groups Want Congressional Support for EPA Mercury Reduction Rule
Diverse groups agree it is time to end pollution from coal-burning power plants National Wildlife Federation A coalition of environmental, hunting, fishing, and shooting enthusiast groups from across the state today called upon the state’s Congressional delegation to support a new national rule to drastically reduce mercury pollution from coal-burning power plants. Ten local and Read More
Legislature Rolls Back Maine’s Statewide Building Code, Despite Strong Opposition from Building Trades, Businesses and Others
News Release The House voted today (76-71) to give final passage to a bill, LD 1416, that would exempt more than 400 cities and towns, with 40% of Maine’s population, from the Maine Uniform Building & Energy Code. The code provides consumer protection, increases energy efficiency and reduces heating oil costs for Maine people by Read More