We need closer-to-home renewables that actually reduce emissions by Deb Pasternak, interim chapter director, Massachusetts Sierra Club Commonwealth Magazine op-ed Massachusetts electric distribution companies submitted long-term hydro electricity supply contracts to the Department of Public Utilities for review recently. The Massachusetts Sierra Club believes strongly that these contracts are not the right way to get 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!
Proposal would Relax State’s Restrictions on Rural Subdivisions
Maine’s Land Use Planning Commission wants to allow development within 10 miles by public road of any rural ‘hub.’ by David Sharp, The Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story The agency overseeing development in Maine’s vast wilderness is considering dramatic changes that would alter restrictions on where subdivisions and businesses can be built. The Read More
Maine Environmental Group Opposes Mass. Energy Transmission Project
by State House News Service Worcester Business Journal news story An environmental nonprofit from Maine was expected to oppose contracts between Massachusetts utility companies and Central Maine Power related to the 140-mile New England Clean Energy Connect transmission project at a hearing Wednesday. The Natural Resources Council of Maine says the NECEC project, which would Read More
Maine’s Top Court Says Appeal of Changes to Solar Incentives Must Go to Lower Court
Thursday’s ruling is a blow to solar advocates who have fought the new rule that reduces credits to homeowners. By Megan Doyle, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has dismissed a legal challenge to a controversial new solar energy rule, saying the dispute should go to a lower court Read More
Camden Considering Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags
Select Board to hold public hearing August 21 by Brian P. D. Hannon Free Press news story The Camden Board of Selectmen voted August 7 to hold a public hearing on two container proposals with potential environmental impact. The hearing will be held during the board’s next regular meeting, on Tuesday, August 21, starting at Read More
Ignoring Climate Change Puts Mainers in Danger
Politics has stifled research that would have helped the state prepare for a warming planet. Central Maine Newspapers editorial Policy driven by research works better than science driven by politics. Witness Maine, which experienced a historic explosion in its tick population, and not coincidentally, a 20-fold increase in Lyme disease diagnoses between 2000 and 2016 Read More
We Can’t End Heat Waves, But We Can Take Steps to Keep Them from Getting a Lot Worse
Bangor Daily News editorial As Mainers sweltered through another week of hot, humid weather, many longed for the days of yore when the nights were cool and a 90-degree day was an anomaly. Those days are in the history books, replaced by ones that are, on average, hotter, more stormy and filled with increasing number Read More
Trump Administration Pushes to Weaken Car Pollution Standards
Statement of Emmie Theberge, Federal Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “Today, the Trump Administration announced its plan to roll back America’s clean car standards and attack Maine’s legal right to protect the health of our fellow citizens. This proposal would pollute Maine’s air, threaten Mainers’ health, and force Maine people to spend billions Read More
Environmental, Tourism Groups Oppose Efforts to Change Pollution Limit Standards
By Mal Leary Maine Public news story For years, Maine has been part of a regional effort to reduce ozone pollution in the air that exacerbates asthma and has been linked to other health problems. Now, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection wants to adopt less stringent standards and move most of Maine out of Read More
