by Laurie Schreiber Mainebiz news story Increasing numbers of Maine food businesses and lodgings are putting themselves in the forefront of national and international trends to switch out from petroleum-based items like straws, to-go containers and disposable cups and plates, to eco-friendly compostable versions. The Migis Hotel Group switched from plastic drinking straws to paper 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!
Fish and Wildlife Department Critical of CMP Plan
By George Smith Bangor Daily News column Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has stepped up big time to criticize Central Maine Power’s proposal to construct a massive new transmission line through Maine to move electricity from Quebec to Massachusetts. The good people of New Hampshire rejected CMP’s proposal, so they’ve moved it to Read More
Enemies Line Up to Fight Power Line Project Through Maine
By Jon Chesto, Globe Staff Boston Globe news story Does the Baker administration have another Northern Pass on its hands? Northern Pass, of course, was the controversial power line project picked in January to draw hydroelectricity here from Canada. New Hampshire regulators quickly ended that. A backup plan — a 145-mile power line through western Read More
The Passing of the Honorable Nathaniel P. Reed
Lisa Pohlmann, CEO of Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) announced today, “It is with great sadness that I report NRCM has lost one of our very good friends. The Honorable Nathaniel P. Reed passed away yesterday after an accident while fishing in Canada. Nat was a 20-year member of NRCM and a generous supporter, Read More
Scott Pruitt Resigns as EPA Administrator; NRCM Urges Senators Collins, King to Support a Clean Start for EPA
Statement of the Natural Resources Council of Maine “It is good that Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt resigned today. From day one, Pruitt was unfit to serve as EPA administrator, and has worked to harm to Maine’s environment by rolling back life-saving protections for our air and water and cozying up to industry lobbyists Read More
Transmission Lines Over Kennebec Gorge? That May be a Choke Point for Renewable Energy Advocates
A 145-mile power line that would carry hydroelectricity from Canada to Massachusetts – and carve a path through the scenic gorge – signals a bleak future for multistate projects in New England. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story WEST FORKS PLANTATION — Only a sharp eye would notice the small strips Read More
Public is Right: There’s No Reason to Change Unorganized Territory Development Rule
Bangor Daily News editorial A website devoted to changes that would allow more scattered development throughout Maine’s Unorganized Territories begins with this statement: “Development that is farther away from public services can lead to difficulty providing those services, and scattered development may interfere with forestry, recreation, and habitat. Right now, new zones for subdivisions and Read More
Proposal Could Create “Retail Hubs,” Sprawl in Maine Woods
By Bill Trotter, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story Officials who oversee development in the state’s Unorganized Territory were urged Wednesday to not make rule changes that critics say could create sprawl in the Maine woods and undermine development in northern municipalities. Approximately 100 people attended a public hearing Wednesday in Brewer by the Read More
LUPC’s Proposed Change of One-mile Rule Resisted
by Kate Cough Ellsworth American news story ELLSWORTH — Hancock County Commissioners heard passionate testimony from area residents on Monday evening, largely arguing against rule changes being proposed by the state Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) that would change where subdivisions and commercial developments could be located in Maine’s unorganized territories. “This is a major and Read More
