by Lori Valigra Bangor Daily News news story Central Maine Power Co.’s plan to build a transmission line from the Canadian border through western Maine to bring hydropower to Massachusetts passed a critical step Thursday, when the Maine utility and Massachusetts electricity distributors said they had signed a contract. The contract, which was not made 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!
CMP Has Not Demonstrated Climate Benefits for Transmission Project
So-Called New England Clean Energy Connect Not New Clean Energy NRCM news release Today, Massachusetts utilities announced agreement on a contract with Central Maine Power (CMP) for its proposed transmission project with Hydro-Quebec. The contract is subject to review and approval by the MA Dept. of Public Utilities and the project still requires approval by Read More
Manchester Votes to Ban Plastic Bags in Retail Stores
The vote appears to make Manchester the first capital-area municipality to ban single-use plastic bags in local stores. By Keith Edwards, Staff Writer Central Maine Newspapers news story MANCHESTER — Residents agreed Tuesday in secret-ballot voting to ban plastic bags in retail stores in town. The vote appears to make Manchester the first capital-area municipality Read More
Maine Regulators Carry Out LePage’s Shortsighted Energy Agenda
The state needs a governor with the vision and patience to build an ocean wind industry. The Editorial Board Portland Press Herald editorial It’s too soon to know the identity of Maine’s next governor, but the one we’ve got now just gave us all a good reminder of why we need a change. The three Read More
Regulator Deals Blow to UMaine Offshore Wind Project
by Bill Trotter, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story In a move seen as a major setback for a pilot offshore wind project under development by the University of Maine, state regulators voted Tuesday to reconsider the contract terms by which Central Maine Power agreed to purchase electricity from the project. The Public Utilities Read More
LePage Administration Reneges on Offshore Wind
Says ‘no’ to thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of investment in Maine’s clean energy future. NRCM news release “The LePage Administration’s anti-wind rampage continued today with his Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) decision to renege on its offshore wind agreement. “In 2013, the global energy giant Statoil withdrew its proposal to begin building floating Read More
Development Changes to Maine’s Unorganized Territory Deserve Close Scrutiny
By Michelle Dunphy, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed It’s hardly a startling headline that rural Maine is in crisis. In fact, the face of rural Maine has been a sporting a series of fresh bruises as a regular occurrence since the 1890s. The utter collapse of the farm economy, the demise of Read More
Offshore Drilling is Wrong for New England
by Melissa Gates, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed New England’s beaches flavor our way of life, bring visitors to our communities, and fuel our coastal economy. From Maine to Connecticut, these treasures attract an endless stream of visitors who contribute over $11 billion to our region’s annual GDP. However, our thriving coast Read More
Commissioners to Contact CMP as State Senator Expresses Concern with Transmission Line Project
by Ben Hanstein Daily Bulldog news story FARMINGTON – County commissioners will draft a letter to Central Maine Power after the state senator representing Franklin County expressed concerns with how the project would benefit local communities. Commissioners previously submitted a letter in support of the project, which would run a 145-mile transmission line from the Read More
