By Susan Sharon Maine Public news story A retired Marine general and expert on national security is in Maine Thursday to discuss what he sees as one of the biggest threats to stability: climate change. General John Castellaw says there are currently 32 locations around the world where conflict, aggravated by climate change, is affecting 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!
Panel Could Allow Greater Development in 2.5M Acres of Maine Woods
By Bill Trotter, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story The Land Use Planning Commission is considering a proposal that could allow subdivision or commercial development in nearly 2.5 million acres in the Unorganized Territory in Maine. Part of that area already allows such development within one mile of existing, similarly developed areas. Development of Read More
Camden’s Sea Dog Brewing Co. Reduces Use of Plastic Straws
By Susan Mustapich Village Soup news story CAMDEN — A simple suggestion from staff at the Camden Sea Dog Brewing Co. is rapidly cutting down on the number of plastic straws used at the restaurant and brewpub. Earlier this month, wait staff and bartenders stopped putting straws in most drinks, including water, unless a straw Read More
LePage Looks to Override Local Pesticide Rules in 30 Maine Municipalities. The Question is, Why?
More communities are developing ordinances meant to protect residents from toxic chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects. by Mary Pols, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Even though Paul Schlein is a careful, detail-oriented sort, he didn’t fuss over his testimony before heading to Augusta late last month for a hearing on a Read More
Maine Could Challenge Expected Rollback of Vehicle Emissions Standards
by Vivian Leigh News Center Maine news story Watch full news video. AUBURN (NEWS CENTER Maine) — The Trump administration is reportedly poised to roll back vehicle emissions standards as early as next Tuesday. Critics say it could cripple efforts to fight climate change. The standards, which were approved during the Obama administration, call for Read More
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s Reversal of Federal Clean Car Standards Harms Health of Maine Air, People
Augusta – Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt has indicated his intent to deem America’s cleaner car standards “inappropriate,” reversing the agency’s previous determination that they should continue as planned. The standards require increasingly less-polluting cars for model years 2022-2025 and were adopted with support of automakers and after intensive analysis. “With this cleaner Read More
CMP Energy Project Could Tunnel Under Kennebec River Gorge
by Fred Bever Maine Public news story Massachusetts officials say they are ready to negotiate final terms for the construction of a $950 million transmission line to carry electricity from Canada’s Hydro-Quebec dam system through Maine down to the Bay State. Central Maine Power says it can complete the project by 2022, but it is Read More
In Reversal, Massachusetts Puts CMP in Lead Position for $950 Million Power Line Project
The Bay State abandons talks with one developer and is pursuing a deal with the Maine utility for a 145-mile line running from the Canadian border to Lewiston and into the regional grid. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Massachusetts energy officials ended talks Wednesday with the developer of a proposed Read More
Massachusetts Drops NH Transmission Proposal; Top Pick Shifts to Power Line Across Maine
Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Climate and Clean Energy Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “Unfortunately, after making the wise choice to reject the flawed New Hampshire Northern Pass proposal, the Massachusetts selection committee has selected a nearly identical proposal from Central Maine Power (CMP). “New Hampshire officials rejected the Northern Pass proposal because of Read More
